By james art 
Todd Felts, a nasty nose guard and from time to time at a junior football team at North Wilxborough High School in North Carolina, was late to train one afternoon in the mid-1980s.
He stopped, he explained to his coach to watch the cheerlead team prepare their combinations. Not long after, he convinced the Small of Fun to teach him the rudiment of a straight turn. He stubbornly practiced the difficult move for weeks, for years.
By the time he was a student at the school, now known as the University of Lenoir-Rhyne, Todd was a star of the university unit. In every home game, he excited the crowds with the rising background.
For 17 years, almost one -third of his life, he has felt, taught at the School of Journalism at Reynolds at the University of Nevada, Renault. His days to stand behind him, he instead became a cheerleader for his students, colleagues, community and friends.
Fels was on a holiday trip to Florida with her husband Tony Avila in November to celebrate 80th His mother’s birthday when he died suddenly at the age of 54. The university community will celebrate its life in a public memorial service from 4 pm to 6 pm March 14 in the ballrooms on the fourth floor of the Student Union of Joe Crowley.
“Todd was a cheerleader, a mentor and a beloved friend of me, “says Evelyn Cat, one of Felts former students, who is now the CEO for the development and marketing of the Renault Philharmonic Association. “He poured his heart and energy into everything he touched.”
He touched the life of his disciples.
“Todd Fels was a beacon of inspiration, enthusiasm and knowledge,” says Hunter Ramberg, senior major in journalism. “He was deeply engaged in the success of the students and encouraged me to take on new challenges for which I am grateful.”
Felts worked hard and carefully in the craft of teaching, Alison Golden, a senior public relations lecturer and advertising he worked with him throughout his university management.
“As an instructor, Todd was brilliant to watch,” Golden said. “Every semester he came up with new and innovative ideas for experienced classes. For the class of Crisis Communications for a year, he took students to the Emergency Response Team in Community to practice real crises. “
He also knew how to maximize the life of his students.
“He purposefully teaches the initial level courses because he knew that he would influence students to be passionate about journalism, storytelling and public relations. He was Pide Piper from PR, Golden said.
Students transfer these lessons, large and small, to the professional world.
James Ruther, who graduated from the Raynolds’ school in 2017 and now works as a senior copywriter for US students in Boston, relies on the wisdom of Fels while managing a creative team. “The most important lesson that taught me was the value of making everyone feel visible and heard,” Ruther said. “Often the quiet person in the room has a great idea. Creating a space where everyone feels involved and empowered to share their ideas is what allows for the best creative thinking. Todd was masterful in encouraging this type of environment and this is something I strive to recreate with my own team every day. “
Feelings taught by experience. Prior to joining the Faculty of University, he has been working for more than 20 years in advertising and journalism, including five years as a speaker and press secretary for governor Jim Hunt in North Carolina. He strengthened his work experience with diplomas from universities in Georgetown and Drexal.
Employers acknowledged Fels’ touch when they hired the university.
“Often, when you hire someone who has been taught and mentored by Todd, you can see, even their skills and nuances that only he could convey in his own way,” says Stephanie Cruz, founder of KPS3, a Renault -based advertising agency. “He was undoubtedly one of the most strong influences on the quality of communications specialists to leave the university.”
Fels’ influence was also felt among his colleagues, said Ju Yun, Dean at the Reynolds School.
“Todd knew how to negotiate on behalf of others and make sure they were pleased with the compromises they made. His kind spirit never allowed him to allow anyone of the team to feel undervalued – he would always register with the team members to see how they were doing, “Yun said.
Bob Felten, Professor Emeritus, remains close friends with felt even after his own retirement six years ago. “As a teaching colleague, a conversation with Todd has always been an optimistic and provocative thought. He was full of ideas that he generously and enthusiastically shared, “Felten said.
Public organizations also took advantage of the touch of Felts. He recently served as co-chair of POPS on the river, the most important raising of Reno Filharmonic funds.
“His creativity, vision and leadership were essential to creating what was already a successful event, really exceptional,” says Laura Jackson, music director and conductor of the orchestra.
In the months after his death in November, the felt friends supported each other with stories about his friendship.
“I learned in the days after his death how often I talked to him,” says Christine Burgarelo, director of development at the Institute for Research Researcher. “He was a good friend. A friend you could call when you have a good day, and a friend you could call when your day doesn’t go the right way. He took care of the people around him. He appeared when it was most important. “
Kingkini Sengupta, a public relations specialist and marketing at the International Center in North Nevada, remembered the hours they feel with her, patiently teaching her to drive on American roads after arriving from her native India. “Then, as I tried to provide a driver’s license, I struggled to get a DMV meeting in Renault,” Sengupta said. “I called Todd in panic. He did not hesitate to say, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll drive you to Carson – or maybe even Henderson – to take the test. “
Even while students, friends and colleagues share their stories, Golden said the loss continues to decline deeply:
“Todd had thousands of ideas and won thousands of hearts and I miss a thousand times.”
Moving words of a memorial
An indisputable voice, which is hinted at the hills of North Carolina, performed the Baptist Church at fairs with the words of faith and comfort a few weeks ago, beating in his hometown of Wilxboro, North Carolina, celebrating the life of Todd Felts.
The voice? He felt himself.
In a record made in 1993, at the funeral of two of his high school friends, the Gemini brothers killed in an incident with a vehicle a month before graduating from his college, Fels spoke touchingly for nearly 35 minutes.
Thirty-two years later, on January 25, his friends in his hometown again listened to a recorded voice again as he spoke about the tragedy of life, taken too early, his own Christian faith, his unwavering faith in heaven and eternal life.
Then the Baptist church choir Damascus sang.
As the last notes faded, the Reverend Glenn Dancer stood on the pulpit, silent for a long minute.
“I don’t know what to say,” he said at last. “Todd preaches his own funeral.”
The Todd Felts False Service is scheduled for Friday, March 14 from 4pm to 6pm in MILT Glick’s ballrooms in Joe Crowley Student Union. Parking will be available in Whalen’s parking lot.