Taubman College Professor Shaun Jackson Passes – A Message and additional information
Following is a message sent yesterday, January 15th, from Dean Ponce de Leon to students, faculty, and staff as well as a schedule of activity related to the passing of Professor Shaun Jackson:
Message from the Dean:
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:
It is with a broken heart that I write to inform you that Professor Shaun Jackson died today due to injuries he sustained as a result of a small plane crash he was involved in this past Saturday in Florida. While the college has lost one of its most talented designers and outstanding faculty members, I have lost a friend and valuable adviser.
You all know as well as I that Shaun was one of those rare, wonderful people who brought so much energy and enthusiasm to everything he did. His passion for his work and his desire for excellence were contagious and brought out the best in everyone who interacted with him. Whether you knew Shaun for only a few minutes or for a lifetime, your life was changed by him for the better.
Shaun was a gifted designer, educator, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was a graduate of Taubman College and a member of the faculty for over 17 years. He had the rare distinction of a triple joint appointment at the University of Michigan with professorships in the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and the Ross School of Business.
He founded his first company, Eclipse, while still in college and grew it from a small entrepreneurial venture to a global practice. As a star of the design community, Shaun held more than 50 patents and received many national and international honors, including the prestigious IDEA award from Business Week. His designs have been featured in Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Business Week, USA Today, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, and Wired Magazine. His work also appeared on NBC’s Today Show and The Discovery Channel and can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art Store in New York.
Shaun created an extraordinary legacy and his work will provide inspiration to many for years and years to come. His passion as an educator and his unwavering commitment to the power of design will remain with us. He was a beautiful person whose mission was to make the world a more beautiful place. We are indebted to his generosity of spirit.
Together in sympathy,
Monica
Activity for January 16th:
11:45 am – Grief and Loss Session
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program will conduct a grief and loss educational debriefing today at in Room 2147. The session will discuss the various stages of grief that are commonly experienced, as well as some ways to address the feelings that we may be experiencing. The session is confidential and will be conducted by two professional counselors from FASAP. If you would like to meet with a FASAP counselor individually please feel free to call them at 936-8660 or email fasap@umich.edu to schedule an appointment. Please feel free to reach out to the Dean’s Office if there other ways
in which we can provide support
12:45 pm – Moment of Silence in the Courtyard
Please join us in the Art and Architecture building courtyard at 12:45 p.m. for a moment of silence to remember Shaun.
Activity for January 22nd:
Memorial Service – 11:00 a.m. at the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church located at 306 North Division Street in Ann Arbor.
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News regarding memorial services will be communicated to students, faculty and staff as soon as it is made available.
