In Memoriam
Photo: Shaun Jackson center top row surrounded by students from his course Designing A Brand.
Shaun Jackson 1949 - 2013
Professor Shaun Jackson passed away on January 15, 2013 as a result of injuries sustained in the crash of a small airplane.
founded his first company, Eclipse
accomplishments, Shaun considered
Inc., while still a student. Soon after
teaching to be his highest calling.
this, he started two more successful
He was passionate about instilling a
business ventures, Higher Ground, Inc
love of design and a drive for design
and Shaun Jackson Design.
excellence and cross-disciplinary
In 1993 he returned to the University
teaching and learning in students
of Michigan as an adjunct faculty
and colleagues. In 2009, Shaun, along
member and rose to the rank of
with Professor William Lovejoy,
Professor at three schools, while
was honored by the University of
FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES,
continuing an active professional
Michigan as the inaugural recipient
Shaun had been a dedicated and
practice. His honors included the
of the Provost’s Teaching Innovation
respected member of our community,
prestigious IDEA award from Business
Prize. He believed that we all should
mentoring generations of designers
Week, and a nomination by the Cooper
work hard, exercise our craft, try to
and sharing his optimism and love of
Hewitt National Design Museum for
find a moment of perfection, love
life with all of us. He was the model of
a National Design Award. He also
it, and share it with others. Shaun’s
the interdisciplinary design educator,
served as a trustee of the Worldesign
positive energy, generosity, high
teaching across units and holding
Foundation, and chaired the 2001
standards, and his challenge to live
faculty appointments in art and design,
IDEA Awards jury; the inaugural
every day to the fullest, will continue
architecture, and business.
Business Week Catalyst Awards jury;
to inspire his many students,
and the National Design Conference.
colleagues, and friends.
A native of Ontario, Canada, Shaun first came to the University of
His designs have been featured in
Michigan as an undergraduate on a
numerous publications including Time
gymnastics and diving scholarship.
Magazine, The New York Times, The Los
But it was industrial design that
Angeles Times and The Washington Post.
captured his focus at U-M, and he
Even with these professional STAMPS E M E R G E N C E
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