MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) — The Middle Tennessee State University community is mourning the loss of a foundational figure in its history. Dr. Edward M. Kimbrell, a Professor Emeritus and the primary architect of what is now the College of Media and Entertainment, passed away on February 26, 2026. He was 86 years old.

Dr. Kimbrell’s journey in journalism began in Illinois, where he earned multiple degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He later secured a Ph.D. in International Communications from the University of Missouri, a process that took him to France to document the history of the Paris Herald Tribune.

Arriving at MTSU in 1971, Dr. Kimbrell was tasked with leading a nascent Mass Communications Department that initially consisted of a single office and one typewriter. Under his vision, the program saw meteoric growth. In 1973, he launched the Recording Industry Management program, and by 1986, he helped establish the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies.

His leadership culminated in the department achieving school status in 1988 and the opening of the dedicated Mass Communications building in 1990—a project he championed alongside State Representative John T. Bragg. Dr. Kimbrell served as the inaugural Dean of the College of Mass Communication starting in 1989.

Beyond his administrative triumphs, Dr. Kimbrell was a celebrated educator. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he received numerous accolades, including three Emmy Awards, a Telly Award, and the MTSU Teacher of the Year honor. In 2012, the university cemented his legacy by naming the Ed Kimbrell Excellence in Teaching Award in his honor.

Local residents may also remember Dr. Kimbrell as a sharp media critic for Middle Tennessee news outlets and a frequent contributor to the Nashville Tennessean. He remained a staunch advocate for First Amendment rights and media law until his retirement in 2016.

He is survived by his wife of three decades, Bonita Denson Kimbrell, and several cherished pets.

A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel, with a Celebration of Life service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the Music City Greyhound Adoption Organization.