Editor's Note: This article was temporarily taken down out of respect for the wishes of the Schrader family.
Prof. Dawn Schrader, communication, died on Jan. 6 according to a Friday afternoon email sent by Chair of the Department of Communication, Prof. Lee Humphreys, communication, to the communication community.
Schrader taught six different courses during her time at Cornell and was involved in research about new media and technologies impacting judgement and intellectual development. She published 35 research papers according to Google Scholar, one of which was cited 228 times in other work.
“As a beloved faculty member in the Communication Department, Professor Schrader touched countless lives through her extraordinary dedication to teaching and mentoring,” Humphreys wrote in an email statement. “Her sudden loss leaves a tragic void in our department and in the hearts of all who knew her.”
Schrader received her master degree from The Ohio State University and attended Harvard for her Doctorate of Education. In 2018, she served as a faculty fellow for Court Kay Bauer Hall.
She also completed a three-year term as chair of the Moral Development and Education Special Interest Group of the American EducationalResearch Association, during which she led organizational efforts and an international annual conference in Philadelphia.
Schrader was also a member of the advisory board for International Expressions of Kindness: Multimedia Showcase. The initiative aims to recognize and promote acts of kindness.
“Her ability to connect with others was her superpower,” said Lisa Nishii, senior vice provost for enrollment management and undergraduate education in a Cornell Chronicle article. “Her insights were especially poignant during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dawn left an indelible mark on many and will be deeply missed.”
She is survived by her two daughters, Katherine Schrader ’17 and Lauren Schrader ’16. In lieu of flowers, the Schrader family hopes the Cornell community will contribute to a GoFundMe campaign in Schrader’s memory. Funds from the campaign will support a memorial bench for Schrader at the Cornell Botanic Gardens.
“Known for her kindness and insight, Professor Schrader was a cherished colleague who embodied the very best of our Cornell community” Humphreys wrote. “Her genuine warmth and unwavering commitment to her students and advisees made her an invaluable presence in many of your academic journeys.”
Individuals can have a diverse range of feelings, needs and reactions when facing loss. This information about Grief and Loss may be helpful to you or a friend. The Ithaca-based crisisline can be reached at 607-272-1616, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available throughout the U.S. Additional support resources are listed at mentalhealth.cornell.edu.
Students in need of professional support can email Student Support and Advocacy Services at studentsupport@cornell.edu or call Counseling and Psychological Services at 607-255-5155. Employees can call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at 607-255-2673.
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
