Brandeis alumna Janice Burgess ’74 passed away recently on Saturday, March 2, reportedly due to breast cancer. Burgess was an executive of children’s television channel Nickelodeon, and was best known as the creator of “The Backyardigans,” an animated musical series which aired on the channel from 2004 to 2013. At Nickelodeon, Burgess also oversaw the development of other well-known children’s series such as “Blue’s Clues.”

Burgess graduated from Brandeis in 1974, receiving a bachelor’s degree in art history. Burgess’ work influenced the childhoods of countless individuals, many of whom are of the age to attend Brandeis today. The Brandeis community mourns and remembers Burgess, who followed in the university’s mission of improving the world through her creativity and passion for storytelling.