He guided Columbus State students studying abroad. Beloved professor dies at 68.
The Columbus State professor who served as the first site director at CSU’s Spencer House in Oxford, England, has died.
The Carson McCullers Center at CSU announced the death of Dan Ross in a news release Wednesday.
According to his obituary on Striffler-Hamby Mortuary’s website, Ross died Aug. 7 after a seven-year battle with cancer. He was 68.
The center called Ross a “beloved CSU English professor and longtime McCullers Center supporter.”
Ross taught at CSU from 1990 until he retired in 2018.
“He was a dedicated and admired teacher, a published and respected scholar, and a mentor for many young faculty,” the center said. “. . . Dan shared his love for travel with students, faculty and friends through various study abroad programs, taking them to Japan, London and Oxford for more than 15 consecutive years.”
Among his honors at CSU, Ross received the Faculty Service Award and was named professor emeritus.
Former students wrote tributes to Ross on the CSU English Department’s Facebook page.
“Dr. Ross introduced me to so many, now favorite authors,” Chad Wayne wrote. “He was my advisor for my senior exit exam. He was tough, but an A in his class was an A well earned. Thank you for bringing the light of knowledge to so many young minds.”
Michele Phillips wrote, “So very sad! He was my Freshman English professor and my last English professor when I graduated with my BS in English Language and English Literature in 1997 from CSU and taught me Literature classes between those classes. He was so nice and always spoke to me whenever he saw me on campus. Nice English professor and encouraged me in his classes. Rest in peace Dr. Ross. Prayers to his family and friends.”
His memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in First Baptist Church, where Ross was a deacon, taught adult Bible study classes for more than 20 years and chaired the education and history committees. Due to coronavirus precautions, the service will be streamed live at firstbaptistcolumbusga.com. The family will have a graveside service and celebration at a later time, according to Striffler-Hamby.
This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 4:41 PM.
