Former USU professor Mike Sweeney dies at age 63

Utah State Today regularly highlights work created by the talented student journalists at Utah State University. The following story was published in The Utah Statesman prior to its inclusion in Utah State Today.

Michael Steven Sweeney, a former Utah State University professor, Journalism Department head and student-led newspaper adviser, died at the age of 63 on Jan. 15.

Sweeney, a beloved journalist and author, taught undergraduate journalism and mass communication classes at USU from 1996 to 2009.

Having written 25 academic and popular books, Sweeney is well-known in Cache Valley for his book about Logan Canyon for National Geographic.

The book, “Last Unspoiled Place: Utah’s Logan Canyon” was written in 2007, and according to his obituary was “a personal favorite” of his and was inspired by his love of the 41-mile canyon.

The overview of the book states that within the pages, Sweeney reveals the history and beauty of the scenic byway.

“The magnificent confines of Logan Canyon, Utah, prove the perfect landscape for exploring these beliefs. In brilliant photographs and vivid anecdotes that range from poignant to exhilarating to hilarious, author Michael Sweeney takes us on an unforgettable tour through the canyon’s unsullied terrain,” it reads.

However, some remember him as more than just an author.

Andy Morgan, who had Sweeney as one of his journalism advisers in the late '90s, remembers him as someone who was full of compassion for everyone.

Morgan said that in college when deciding between majors, he had one conversation with Sweeney and knew that he wanted to go into journalism because of the care and welcomeness he received.

“From that minute on, we just kind of bonded,” Morgan said. “He cared about me graduating and he wanted to see me succeed.”

One memory that stuck was when Morgan had a Sundance Film Festival article on the front page of The Herald Journal, and Sweeney was the first person to call him about it.

“I was like, ‘Who’s calling me at 6:30 in the morning?’ And it was him and he was so excited,” Morgan said. “He had a way to make you feel like you could do it, like nothing was beyond reach. He’s going to be missed.”

Candi Carter Olson, a USU professor who met Sweeney at a journalism conference and had him at one time as an editor at Journalism History, said that not only was he generous with his time and knowledge, but he was one of a kind.

“His vision of academia was a place where knowledge should be celebrated and young academics should be mentored and supported,” Olson said. “He loved knowledge. He loved people. He loved puns and laughing. We need more Mike Sweeneys in academia.”

Sweeney died in his home in Athens, Ohio, after a nine-year battle with kidney cancer.

Since his death, many others have also taken the opportunity to honor him and reminisce about his lifetime achievements and impact on their lives.

On Legacy.com, Joyce Kinkead, a former coworker of Sweeney, wrote, “We were so fortunate to have Michael as a colleague at Utah State University; he brought enormous intellect and personality to the role of faculty member and department head. He was extraordinarily giving, freely working with others who wanted to mine his savvy about the book publishing game.”

Morgan stated that one thing he learned from Sweeney was that no one has to be a jerk to be a great leader.

“You can be kind and empathetic and caring and down to earth and still be a great leader. I looked up to him in so many things, but he never made me feel like he was above or better than me,” he said.

Sweeney’s obituary pointed out his unique sense of humor, describing it as, “rapid-fire and sometimes blue or simply questionable-given-the-audience.”

His obituary also noted that in 2018 Sweeney received an Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award and had the honor of speaking at the Graduate Commencement ceremony in the spring of 2019, with the remarks, “It’s not the quantity of life that matters, all life is too short. It’s the quality! Find a way to make your life count for others and it will count for you.”

Sweeney is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sweeney, his son, David Sweeney, two grandsons and three brothers.

Donations can be made in honor of Sweeney to the American Journalism Historians Association Graduate Student Convention Travel Fund.