Amy Jo Long, former director of The University of Texas at Austin News and Information Service (now Office of Public Affairs), died Dec. 7 in Austin. She was 89.
Long received a master’s degree in journalism from the university in 1952. She worked in the University News and Information Service as a writer, editor, assistant and associate director, and finally as director — a total of 34 years. She retired in 1985.
A 1937 graduate of North Side High School, Long attended Texas Wesleyan College (now University) and received a bachelor’s degree in 1941. She edited the student newspapers at both high school and college.
For more than five years (1942-1947) she was a reporter for the Fort Worth Press and served as a local stringer for Time, Life and Fortune magazines.
Long returned to Texas Wesleyan as public relations director, journalism instructor and faculty adviser to student publications, duties that she performed from 19471950. In connection with her work she was active in the American College Public Relations Association and its successor organization, Council for Support and Advancement of Education (CASE).
After retirement from the university, Long was elected to the board of directors of the University Federal Credit Union, serving from 1985 to 1987. From 1988 to 1991, she edited the quarterly newsletter of the University Retired Faculty Staff Association.
A memorial service will be held Dec. 19 at 2:30 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 North Lamar Blvd. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Texas Wesleyan University or University United Methodist Church in Austin.
