Associate Professor at SIU, Shannon MacDonald,  died on Tuesday, Nov. 23, after battling adrenal cancer. MacDonald taught in the School of Architecture (SOA) with a focus on transportation and sustainability.

She is survived by her mother, Constance Doerer Sanders, sister, Lauren Sanders Rolfes (Jude Rolfes), brother, John Stewart Sanders (Katherine Sanders), many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beloved cat, Schnazzles. 

MacDonald received a number of awards and accolades while at SIU and published more than 100 professional articles and presentations.

Director Anz of the SOA wrote an email confirming her passing. 

“Those that worked and interacted with Shannon knew her to have a strong dedication and love for architecture and art in all its forms. I very much respected her research and the design polemics she brought to the academic table,” Anz said.

Anz said before MacDonald fell ill she worked well with students and helped them with their graduate design work and thesis research. He remembers her as a strong instructor who covered a large amount of courses and subjects in SOA.

“As such, we will feel the effect of her passing for some time.  She always had high expectations for the quality of work.  With this, we lost much too early in life one of our most active researchers and teachers. The school will not be the same without her,” Anz said.

Dean Segun Ojewuyi of the College of Arts and Media (CAM) stated in an email to faculty, “On behalf of the college, I extend my condolences to her colleagues, staff, and students in the School of Architecture, CAM and the SIU community.”

The School of Architecture is planning a memorial for MacDonald in the spring 2022 semester.  

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