Dylan Lyons.Photo: Rick Brunson Facebook
One ofDylan Lyons' former journalism professors is remembering the “thousand-watt enthusiasm” the up-and-coming reporter brought to class.
A Philadelphia native and 2019 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Lyons was previously president of the radio and television digital news association UCF chapter, saysRick Brunson, a senior instructor of journalism for the university’sNicholson School of Communication and Media.
Saying he feels “numb” after hearing of his former student’s death, Brunson, 62, tells PEOPLE he first met Lyons in his News Reporting course, adding, “I worked with Dylan the entire time he was here, pretty closely.”
Rick Brunson and Dylan Lyons.Rick Brunson Facebook
In addition to Lyons' “thousand-watt enthusiasm” and “eagerness about himself that made him stand out,” Brunson says that attitude was “infectious” during his time at UCF.
“He had that effect on other students in the program,” says Brunson, who previously worked at theOrlando Sentinelfor 20 years. “When I think of him, that’s one of the many front-of-mind ways that I think about him.”
In fact, Lyons was so impressive in his filed that “he already had a job lined up when he graduated,” and “went straight to work” for WCJB, an ABC News affiliate in Gainesville, Fla.
“They wanted him before he even walked at graduation. He went to right to work and he didn’t stop, until yesterday,” Brunson says.
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Dylan Lyons (L) and Rick Brunson (R).Rick Brunson Facebook
The journalists were covering a previous shooting. They were parked in almost the identical spot where the first shooting took place, at about 11 a.m., that killed 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin,the Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook.
Moses has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Augustin’s death, the sheriff’s office said.
Scene of Feb. 22 shooting in Orlando, Fla.FOX 35 Orlando/Youtube
In a Facebook post following the sad news of Lyons' death, Brunson shared a series of photos of his former student and mentee, whom he described as “always front and center; a leader in our journalism program.”
“Helit up a classroom with his smile, his energy, his enthusiasm and his passion,” Brunson continued. “He cared, deeply, about doing journalism the right way. We are shattered to lose him when so much life was ahead of him.”
The journalism professor went on to call Lyons “a proud Knight,” referring to the UCF school mascot, and “a great friend.”
“I am deeply crushed for his family and his fiancée, as well of the families of the other two precious lives lost in this heinous crime,” he added. “To his Spectrum News 13 family, we mourn with you.”
source: people.com
