KU community mourns scholar, filmmaker Ed Small

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas community is grieving the loss of Ed Small, professor emeritus of film and media studies. Small, 74, died Aug. 22 at his home in Lawrence.

“On behalf of the entire university community, I offer my condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and former students,” Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said. “Professor Small was a scholar who ensured his students’ studies of the changing film and media landscape were grounded by a solid understanding of the discipline’s history.”

Although Small bridged the transition to digital media, he insisted his beginning students be versed in celluloid film production. He was known for having high expectations for his students.

Small’s scholarly work centered on experimental and documentary film and video. His work won festival prizes and was featured at film conferences and on television.

Chuck Berg, professor of film and media studies, fondly remembers warmly animated conversations with Small at Oldfather Studios about issues at the fore of the ever-evolving film world as well as at academic conferences.

“The best part was the midnight breakfasts, where we pored over an evening’s screenings, digging into artistic or theoretical issues that passionately engaged us,” Berg said.

Services are pending and will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence.