Journalism Professor Sandra Haarsager dies

Sandra Haarsager, a faculty member at the University of Idaho since 1988 and a cornerstone of the School of Journalism and Mass Media since its founding in 2003, died Saturday, Oct. 6, at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow. Sandra had been hospitalized for two days with a respiratory condition that developed as a result of her treatment for cancer of the esophagus. She was 61.

Although she had been on sabbatical this semester working on a book about new media technology, Sandra had been a regular visitor to campus, most recently a week before she was admitted to the hospital. She had planned to return to a full teaching schedule in the spring of 2008.

Sandra had worked as a reporter for The Idaho Statesman in Boise and a reporter and general manager for the Idahonian, now the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. She also had been director of information services for the University of Idaho under President Richard Gibb.

She became a faculty member of the former School of Communication in 1988 and earned a Ph.D. in American Studies from Washington State University in 1990. From 1999 to 2005, she was associate dean of the UI’s College of Letters and Science, which became the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences in 2003. She played a major role in decisions to reorganize the School of Communication into the School of Journalism and Mass Media.

Sandra’s teaching portfolio included both skills and conceptual courses. Most recently, she had taught Reporting, Public Affairs Reporting, Literary Journalism, Mass Media & Culture, and Media Management & Economics.

A memorial service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the University Auditorium. Sandra was a trusted colleague, valuable mentor and longtime friend. We’ll miss her. I invite her former students to leave comments below.