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Following a cancer diagnosis in 2013, journalism professor Mike Sweeney continued to teach, persevering through his treatment and its unpleasant side effects. In 2018, his grateful students nominated him for the Outstanding Faculty Award, which is how he came to give the keynote address at the University鈥檚 2019 spring graduate commencement ceremony.

In that memorable speech, Sweeney displayed his signature humor and wisdom, recruiting the audience to join him in performing a Bob Dylan impersonation (鈥測ou鈥檝e gotta serve somebody鈥�). He offered this advice: 鈥淔ind a way to make your life count for others and it will count for you.鈥�

Facing a terminal diagnosis, Sweeney stepped away from teaching in early April. In a podcast series he recorded over the winter with his longtime colleague retired J-School director Bob Stewart, he reflects on his life experiences and on what he calls 鈥渢he big questions鈥攃apital B, capital Q.鈥�

Sweeney says he was 鈥渂orn to be a professor,鈥� and the podcast is sure to attract an audience from the many students he has taught and influenced. Among those students are alumna Pamela Walck, a journalism professor at Duquesne University, and Natascha Roelsgaard, a current PhD student in journalism who recently completed a book project with Sweeney.

鈥淚've learned a lot from Sweeney, both as a researcher, teacher, and human,鈥� Roelsgaard said. 鈥淗is perseverance is just commendable, and he is kind and not afraid to be vulnerable with his students. He also never hesitates to spell out a student's potential, even when they struggle to see it themselves. He has taught me to be critical of my own work yet shoot for the stars.鈥�

Walck, who completed her PhD in 2015, said she often wishes she could time travel to Sweeney鈥檚 classes; the podcast is a chance to revisit the experience.

鈥淭o have these conversations preserved and hear him talking about teaching grad students and doing research is really a delight. I鈥檒l be listening to them again,鈥� Walck said.

For Sweeney, there are two specific listeners he keeps most in mind.

鈥淚 think this is for my grandkids,鈥� he said. 鈥淛ack is nine and Milo鈥檚 five, and I haven鈥檛 seen them for a year and a half. I would like the younger one to remember me. If he doesn鈥檛, if he has trouble, this is what it鈥檚 for.鈥�

The idea for the podcast was Stewart鈥檚 originally (though they both remember that Sweeney didn鈥檛 hesitate to agree to it). Stewart said he was inspired by Sweeney鈥檚 鈥渁mazing stories鈥� and an appreciation for his sense of humor, which is on prominent display in each episode.

鈥淥ne of the fun things for me as I go through and edit them is to realize how much Mike laughs,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淭he sound of that laughter makes everything feel normal. And that's a real gift, to be able to share your laughter with people.鈥�

Longtime colleagues in the school of journalism, both Sweeney and Stewart said they appreciate how the podcast has allowed them a chance to connect during the pandemic. Sweeney said one of the best parts has also been the opportunity to reflect on his life鈥檚 highlights.

鈥淚t's been nice reminiscing about being blessed, is how I describe it in the series,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here have been many times in my career where I've faced just a terrible decision, and made a difficult one, and it turned out to be the right one. It's nice to relive those.鈥�

The subject of Sweeney鈥檚 illness was also an important factor in the series.

鈥淚 find that I've had a lot of conversations about his cancer journey,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淚 thought he could probably be pretty open about that, and that has proven to be the case.鈥�

The last episode addresses Sweeney鈥檚 cancer directly; he describes its progression and how he has coped with the hard realities of a terminal diagnosis. In that episode, Stewart asks him what he prays for.

Sweeney said he prays for his family, and for the chance to see his grandchildren in Minnesota and to drink a beer with his son on a spring day.

鈥淒on鈥檛 cry for me. Remember me, and you, doing happy things and laughing. That鈥檚 my prayer.鈥�

Sweeney also discussed what he hopes to accomplish by sharing the story of his illness.

鈥淚 want to teach people about life. I want them to not mystify cancer,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing in it you can鈥檛 handle. You鈥檇 be surprised how much strength you have to deal with cancer if you have to.鈥�

Sweeney has reached many people with that message; Roelsgaard said she is not the only student who has been inspired by Sweeney.

鈥淚 hope that Sweeney knows how many of us students came here because of him, stayed here because of him, and how grateful we are for having been able to learn from him,鈥� Roelsgaard said. 鈥�There have been a lot of moments where I think other people would have stepped back or given up, and Sweeney just keeps on going and pushes for the change he wants to see in the world.鈥�

Stewart saved the 鈥淏ig Question鈥� episode for last, but plans a special finale to round out the podcast series: he鈥檒l post the audio recording of Sweeney鈥檚 graduation address.

鈥淚 think (the speech) is something a lot of people have thought about, both in terms of their own lives and as a university,鈥� Stewart said.

When asked about his memories from the day of the speech, Sweeney described encountering enthusiastic audience members as he left the ceremony.

鈥淚t was a lot of fun walking out of that stadium getting hugs from total strangers,鈥� he said, adding that the University鈥檚 president didn鈥檛 hold back either.

鈥淥h my goodness. I got the biggest bear hug from President Nellis. I think he was probably saying, good job. Thank you.鈥�

Roelsgaard echoed those sentiments, reflecting on the memorable Dylan singalong (鈥測ou gotta serve somebody鈥�) from that day.

鈥淚 think those words sum up his teaching and life philosophy,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e is endlessly kind and always puts other's needs before his own. There is always a purpose to be and do good and to empower those around him. I have been so lucky to learn from his tenacity and kindheartedness for nearly six years.鈥�

Episodes of the podcast 鈥淐onversations with Mike Sweeney鈥� can be found . Watch the .