Patricia “Patti” Emma Harney, 67, of Lincoln, died May 10 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Harney was born April 22, 1955, in Lincoln to Herman and Sylvia (Korbel) Harney.
She studied music during her college years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She later joined the faculty in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications in 2015 as a lecturer in advertising and public relations. In 2019, she was hired as an assistant professor of practice and was the college’s first Honors Faculty Fellow in partnership with the University Honors Program. In this role, Harney laid the foundation for a fruitful collaboration between the college and the Honors Program.
She taught and worked with others teaching honors courses, increased the visibility of the program in the college and established the first CoJMC honors recognition event, which recognized the achievements of both honors students and faculty.
Before joining the college, Patti had an impressive 30-year career at some of the nation’s most prestigious advertising agencies, including J. Walter Thompson in New York City and Leo Burnett in Chicago, where she was an executive creative director and senior vice president. She also worked on some of the most globally recognized brands, including McDonald’s, Hallmark, 7-Up, Kellogg’s and Disney theme parks.
During her time at the university, Harney was loved by students and colleagues alike. She always brought a sharp wit, smiling face and keen professional acumen to everything she did. She retired from the college on August 15, 2020.
Harney had just turned 67 on Friday, April 22. To celebrate, ‘77 alumnus Bob Cullinan and associate professor of broadcasting Rick Alloway invited the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s a cappella group, The Red Keys, to serenade Patti on the sidewalk leading to her home. You can see the video here.
Harney is survived by daughter, Emma Gregoline (Severin Bunse); sister, Kathryn Harney; cousins, Edward and Linda Korbel, Doug and Pam Korbel, William Lee and Pat Harney, Ruth Ann and Ralph Howard, Jr.; as well as countless lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and dachshund, Mimi.
Services will be announced through the family obituary. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
