Nancy Benson

Nancy Jane Benson, a journalist, educator, and world traveler, died Monday (April 21, 2025) of cancer at her home in Champaign.

Her 40-yr career in journalism began in 1975 at radio stations WATS/WAVR in Sayre, PA. After a year in Sayre, she spent eight years at radio and television stations in North Dakota. In 1986, she joined WMAQ radio in Chicago, where she was a morning drive anchor and reporter. When WMAQ began changing its format away from news, Nancy worked as a public affairs consultant for the United Nations’ World Food Program in Rome from 1994-96.

After returning stateside in 1996, she was hired as a visiting professor at the University of Illinois Department of Journalism and became an assistant professor in 1997. She was promoted to associate professor in 2003 and to full professor in 2014. She retired from the university in 2019.

At U of I, Nancy built upon her experience in Europe. In 2000, she spent six months as a Knight International Press Fellow, training journalists in emerging democracies in Eastern Europe while she was based in Bratislava, Slovakia. She worked with the International Journalism Foundation to start a journalism master’s program in Slovakia and the International Center for Journalists to found a journalism school in the Republic of Georgia. In addition, she was a Benton Fellow at the University of Chicago, and she served a five-year term as a Fulbright Specialist Roster member. Nancy was also one of the founding hosts of Radio Health Journal when it debuted in 1992 and broadcast stories there until she retired from that position in 2023.

Nancy wanted her international experience to benefit her students, and the highlight of her teaching career was developing an “International Reporting” course. After a term of teaching about a particular country, she traveled with her students to that country. There, they would research and produce stories about issues that otherwise had been ignored. Nancy took students to Peru, China, Romania, Italy, and Turkey. While Nancy and her student’s journalistic work won numerous awards and accolades, it was the mission of strong, fair journalism and engaging storytelling that really mattered. Nancy was an inspiring role model who mentored countless students throughout her time at Illinois and kept in contact with them as they progressed through their careers. She challenged everyone to think critically and be open-minded to expand their perspectives and worldviews in every aspect of life.

Nancy’s international travel also included numerous vacation trips, with visits to most of the European countries, Southeast Asia, and Cuba. She generously loved her family and kept active by exploring new cultures, cuisines, and activities with family, friends, and neighbors,. Her last trip was to Japan in November with the Illinois Prairie Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Floral Art. In retirement, she and her rescue greyhound, Snowie, enjoyed attending children’s reading sessions at the local library.

Born in Highland Park, IL., on April 19, 1953, Nancy was one of four daughters of John and Lois Benson. She married Alberto Nieto in 2002. He preceded her in death in 2021.

She is survived by sisters Susan Benson of St. Louis, Barbara (Ron) Quigley of St. Louis, and Sally (Steve) Boerman of Montague, CA. Also surviving are nieces Selby and Signe Boerman and Sarah Quigley-Buckley (Paul) and Elizabeth Lourwood (Timothy); stepsons Carlos (Tifani) and Marco (Erin) Nieto; and their children Sofia, Nina, Mario, Enzo and Nico.

There was a private interment for family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Land Connection (http://thelandconnection.org/donate, 217-840-2128) or American Greyhound (http://Americangreyhound.org/donate, 219-771-0892).

Arrangements have been made at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Champaign Chapel, 710 N. Neil Street, Champaign, IL. 61820

Please join Nancy’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com