University of Oregon journalism professor Tom Wheeler died on Saturday, according to reports from the school. He was 70 years old.
There was no information on the cause of his death.
The SOJC is holding an informal gathering in Allen Hall today at 5 p.m. to honor and remember Wheeler.
Juan-Carlos Molleda, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, announced Wheeler’s death in an email to the SOJC community on Sunday. Molleda wrote that Wheeler was in the Bay Area when he died. Molleda’s email stated that professor Scott Maier informed him of Wheeler’s death.
Maier could not immediately be reached by The Emerald.
“I will always remember him for his teaching passion, wonderful sense of humor, and collegiality,” Molleda wrote in the email.
Wheeler was teaching J371 Feature Writing and J101 Grammar this term. The SOJC will find other faculty members to take over for the remainder of his classes this term, according to an email sent to students.
Students may visit the counseling center if they are feeling distressed or call the UO crisis support line at 541-346-3227.
Update: Read Tom Wheeler’s obituary by The Emerald here.