Posted on behalf of School of Business Dean Sean Reid and Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Management Susan RosenthalPosted on behalf of School of Business Dean Sean Reid and Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Management Susan Rosenthal
It is with a profound sense of sadness that we announce the sudden passing on Saturday of our dear friend and colleague, longtime associate professor Don Lifton. Ithaca College, the School of Business, the Department of Management, and our students have all suffered a great loss.
Don was a master teacher in the finest sense of the word. He took great pleasure in mentoring other faculty who desired to improve the quality of their teaching, and he did so with great humility.
He taught several courses in the School of Business over the years, but teaching World of Business was his passion. He created the course nearly 10 years ago with the goal of providing first year School of Business students with an experience that was both intellectually challenging and personally engaging. Don loved teaching it, and students loved taking it with him.
His attention to issues of faculty rights and responsibilities was legendary. Don was a member of Faculty Council for many years and continued to contribute until the day he passed away. He was an outstanding colleague who never shied away from tackling substantive faculty issues and seeing them through to successful conclusion.
From his Peace Corps service in Brazil to his long and productive faculty career, Don devoted his life to making a difference. The impact that he had on the lives of others is his enduring legacy. He will be sorely missed.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Don’s family, friends, colleagues, and students—both past and present—as well to all those in the wider Ithaca and academic communities whose lives he touched.
Support services to all members of the Ithaca College community are available through the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 607-274-3136. Faculty and staff can access the counseling services of the Employee Assistance Program by calling 1-800-327-2255.
Information on memorial services will be shared with the campus community when it becomes available.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20151206202443859