Words, music celebrate Sandra's life

More than 300 people attended a memorial service for Sandra Haarsager, professor of journalism and mass media, Thursday evening at the University of Idaho’s Administration Building auditorium.

The audience included students, faculty, deans, vice presidents and friends from across the community. Former Idaho Sen. James McClure, a member of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Advancement Council, also attended.

They heard tributes to Sandra from UI President Timothy White, long-time friend Mindy Cameron, Sandra’s stepdaughter, Jennie Haarsager-Lieske, and the Rev. Kayle Rice, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse.

“Sandra epitomized all that is worthy and right about the University of Idaho, about our community, and about humanity,” President White said in his eulogy. “She did so through her unwavering dedication to students first, to music and the arts, academics, journalism, women’s studies, administration, and relations with our stakeholders, constituents, and friends.”

Music by UI jazz choirs and several instrumental ensembles provided interludes between the verbal remembrances. A highlight was Jon Anderson’s performance of a song,“Take Your Time,” composed by Jon to lyrics written by Sandra. Music before and after the service came from a CD of jazz standards, folk songs and show tunes that Sandra herself had recorded.

Today’s Argonaut includes remembrances of Sandra. In response to suggestions from friends and former colleagues, the JAMM faculty hopes to create a scholarship in her name. Watch for details here.