Sociology Chair Gordon remembered for candor
Former sociology department chair Chad Gordon, who was with the sociology department since its inception in the 1970s, passed away in late May after fighting cancer. When the sociology department branched off from anthropology in 1970, Gordon served as the first sociology chair. He was an assistant professor of sociology at Harvard before he came to Rice in 1970.
Sociology Professor William Martin said Gordon was well-known for his courses on human sexuality and television called “Sex with Chad” and “TV with Chad,” respectively.
“[He taught] courses that were quite popular and a little different from the other offerings in our department,” Martin said.
Gordon had a creative teaching style and would take students to cemeteries and funeral home museums when he taught a course on death, Martin said. He said Gordon also integrated progressive media into his course about television, often using TV clips, which were not considered a teaching tool at the time he began teaching it.
Martin said the last course Gordon taught on death and dying resonated on a very personal level.
“He taught his death and dying course when he was quite aware, and his students were aware, that he had a fatal disease,” Martin said. “He was very candid about that, and I’m sure that was significant for the students as well.”
Gordon was also known for the band he formed during his early years at Rice and his strikingly colored motorcycle that he could be seen driving around the campus, Martin said. Additionally, Gordon was known for the pool parties he threw at his house, and for being a “free spirit.” He loved spicy food, and his friends would engage in contests with him to see who could eat the greatest amount of spicy food in one sitting, Martin said.
He said Gordon was a compassionate man who had a lasting impact on each student.
“[Gordon] seemed always to be in a good mood,” Martin said. “He always had a twinkle in his eye.”
the Rice Thresher/ Thresher Editorial Staff
First sociology chair Chad Gordon
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