Campus News

Klopfenstein, telecommunications faculty member, dies

Bruce C. Klopfenstein, 53, a faculty member in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, died Feb. 8 of natural causes.

A professor in Grady’s department of telecommunications, Klopfenstein joined the Grady faculty in 2000. He was an expert in emerging media technologies, with a particular focus on the adoption and diffusion patterns of media innovations. In recent years, his research was concentrated on interactive television and its effects on the way audiences consume television programming.

Most of the courses Klopfenstein taught drew on his expertise in emerging media. He frequently taught the department of telecommunication’s “Emerging Media Technologies” and “Digital Media Production” courses, as well as “Writing for Digital Media,” and the department’s large “Introduction to Telecommunications” course.

A prolific blogger, Klopfenstein maintained blogs on topics such as website production and interactivity, emerging new media, interactive television simulation and production, and script writing for electronic media. During his 10 years on the Grady faculty, “Dr. K.,” as students called him, was a strong advocate for increasing the college’s emphasis on network-based media systems.

Klopfenstein earned his Ph.D. in communication in 1985 from Ohio State University. He had previously earned a master’s degree in communication from Ohio State. His bachelor’s degree in communication was completed in 1979 at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he also completed a minor in radio-TV-film.

A memorial service for Klopfenstein was held Feb. 11. The family requests that memorials in his honor be sent to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.