In memoriam: Mark Sanders, professor emeritus of technology education
Mark Sanders, professor emeritus, passed away at the age of 72.
Mark Sanders, professor emeritus of technology education, passed away in December at age 72.
Sanders, a professor at Virginia Tech for 30 years, grew up in New York and Florida.
He earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego, a master's degree from Illinois State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. In 1980, he began a long career at Virginia Tech as an assistant professor of technology education.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Sanders was a trailblazer in the evolution of industrial arts to technology education and later to integrative STEM education. He was a globally renowned scholar and educator who consistently found ways to advance his field.
Sanders created a resource-sharing graphic communications website in the early days of the internet, and pushed for the Journal of Technology Education, which he co-founded, to be published online. He also co-directed the first technology, science, and math integration project funded by the National Science Foundation, and he helped to develop Virginia Tech’s Integrative STEM graduate program.
During his time as a Hokie, he was a generous mentor and sponsor to his students and applauded the work of his colleagues. By the time he retired and was conferred professor emeritus in 2010, Sanders had received 18 national and state awards. In 2012, he was inducted into the International Technology and Engineering Education Association’s Academy of Fellows, his field’s highest honor.
Outside of work, Sanders was a father, husband, brother, and friend. He rarely missed a game or practice, and he used his advanced woodworking skills to build beautiful objects for those he loved. Sanders and his wife, Gail, opened their home to students, colleagues, and friends from around the world for dinner and conversation.
In keeping with his lifelong commitment to education and service, Sanders' family has donated his brain to research led by the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Members of the university community who seek support or assistance are encouraged to contact these resources:
- TimelyCare
- Cook Counseling Center at 540-231-6557
- Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787. Referral to a campus cleric may be made through this office.
- Employee Assistance Program
- Anthem at 855-223-9277
- Aetna at 888-238-6232
- Kaiser Permanente at 866-517-7042
- Sentara Health Plans Vantage HMO at 800-899-8174
- Hokie Wellness at 540-231-2233 (students) or 540-231-8878 (employees)
- Housing Services at 540-231-6205
- Residential Well-being at 540-231-1139
- Civil Rights Compliance at 540-231-2010
- Women's Center at Virginia Tech at 540-231-7806
- University Ombuds Office at 540-231-3125
- Graduate Office of the Ombudsperson at 540-231-9573
