Bernard V. Abbene

Bernard V. Abbene was a Professor of Communication Arts at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) from 1965 to 1987, serving as the first Chair of the Communication Arts Department—a precursor to LMU's School of Film and Television. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Wilfred and Mary Jane Von der Ahe Communication Arts Building through fundraising and design efforts. His career spanned academia and industry, including screenwriting, production roles at Henry Jaffee Enterprises, David Wolper Productions, and networks like ABC, NBC, and Warner Brothers.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree and M.F.A. from Fordham University

Prior to LMU, he taught English at Hofstra University and Fordham University, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, and later moved to California to pursue screenwriting.

His teaching emphasized industry collaboration, exemplified by his 'Tuesday Night at the Movies' class featuring Hollywood professionals like Academy Award winner Edward Anhalt and film critic Charles Champlin. He also brought Emmy Award winner Lamar Caselli and screenwriter Joseph Stone to LMU as guest lecturers.

Awards & Legacy:

• Recipient of the John Edward Cosgrove Chair in Communication Arts
• Posthumously honored with the Bernard Abbene Comedy Writing Award (established by alumnus John F. Cosgrove)

Professional memberships included the Writers Guild of America, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and Screen Actors Guild.