I write today to share the tragic news of the death of Dr. Adela Santana last week. In addition to being a long-time, valued colleague in the Anthropology Department, Dr. Santana was an avid cyclist and vibrant presence in the lives of many within the college and across the university and community.

Our thoughts are with Adela’s stepdaughter, 21, stepson, 18, son, 12 and twin sons, 10, as well as with her dear husband, Dr. James Mullooly, and her sisters, Alda and Dr. Analola Santana. We are focused on supporting each other and supporting those whose lives were touched by Adela including our students and our colleagues as we grieve her untimely loss.

Adela taught for Chicano and Latin American Studies; Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; and Anthropology. She worked alongside Professor Cristina Herrera to secure a grant to improve the Chicano art classes in Chicano and Latin American Studies.

She was beloved by her students, and many current students and alumni have reached out to share memories of Adela's warmth and kindness.

Adela was a long-standing member of the First Year Experience program, a collaborative effort among participating faculty to help guide first-generation students through their first year of college by providing extra support and mentoring. Her passion for teaching and her caring nature made her a favorite among students.

She participated as a Global Engagement Scholar (faculty members) from 11 American Association of State Colleges and University campuses who helped build courses and curricula as a collaboration between AASCU's American Democracy Project and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The result of this collaboration were the interdisciplinary courses she helped teach at Fresno State.

In these courses, students engage with current global challenges that will affect not only their own future but that of the world, to develop a greater sense of global awareness and become globally competent citizens.

She also taught at Clovis Community College and recently was hired as a permanent faculty member there. She conducted research on Lucha Libre, a form of professional wrestling in Mexico, and was deeply interested in psychological and cultural manifestations of pain.

The funeral, wake and reception will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center.

A GoFundMe page was created to support the Mullooly family. There is also a meal train set up, but we are still trying to find information about how to access/participate in it.

Fresno State employees can access 24/7 support through our Employee Assistance Program at 800.367.7474 or via online services at www.mylifematters.com (password: FresnoState). There are also on-campus services for faculty and staff by appointment, 559.278.1655; Margie Arreguin-Zarate marreguin@csufresno.edu.

Elizabeth A. Lowham
Dean, College of Social Sciences