Professor of Communication Everett M. Rogers, 73, scholar, teacher, writer and mentor, died Oct. 21 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Rogers’ career influenced countless numbers of lives. Born in Carrol, Iowa, he began his education in a one-room schoolhouse and went on to earn his doctorate in 1957 from Iowa State University.
Rogers’ 30 books – translated into 15 languages – and more than 500 articles shaped and influenced the field of communication, sociology, marketing and political science. He is perhaps best known for his book “Diffusion of Innovations,” the second most cited book in the social sciences, published in its fifth edition in 2003. One year earlier, with Arvind Singhal of Ohio University, he co authored “Controlling AIDS in a Developing World.”
Rogers nearly 47 years of teaching and research included faculty positions at Ohio State University, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Stanford University, Universite de Paris, University of Southern California, and finally the University of New Mexico, where as department chair he was instrumental in initiating a doctoral program in 1995.
Rogers had an international impact. He taught or conducted research in Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico, India, Nigeria, Korea, Thailand, France, Germany, and Tanzania.
In 2002, Rogers was selected the university's 47th Annual Research Lecturer— the highest honor UNM bestows on its faculty. He continued to teach at UNM until fall of 2004 when he was forced to retire due to illness.
Rogers is survived by his wife Corinne Shefner-Rogers and two sons, David Rogers of Salt Lake City and Everett King of Albuquerque.
Information about a memorial service is pending. Contributions may be made to the University Hospice in Roger's name. Donations may be mailed to: 1650 University NE, Suite 200, 87102.
Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, (505) 277-5915