Mark Higgins, a former member of the WSC Department of Communication Arts died on Sunday, Jan. 17.

 
Higgins, 52, left WSC in 2002. The exact cause of his death is unknown, but he did suffer from type 1 diabetes.

 
Higgins earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University and his Ph.D at Boston University.

 
He came to WSC in 1988 and taught, among other courses, communication law. Higgins was known to refuse to let students leave the classroom on the first day until they memorized the exact wording of the First Amendment.

 
“[Higgins] came to our department with computer skills when our faculty was just getting them into use in the classroom and beyond,” said Dr. Ronald Whitt, a WSC communication arts professor. “His understanding of the communication discipline fit our department’s needs well.

 
“It is very sad that he died at such a young age because he had much to offer students and our discipline.”

 
He is survived by his wife, Deborah, and step-daughter.

 
No services are planned at this time.