Professor's story remembered

Everett Rogers was known as a storyteller, and now others are recounting their stories about him.

Rogers, 73, was a communications professor at the University who died from kidney cancer Thursday.

Brad Hall, chair of the Department of Communication & Journalism, said Rogers was a well-loved professor who often told anecdotes to his students.

"He was a very popular professor," Hall said. "Lots of people took his classes."

Doctoral student Martina Myers said she came to the University because Rogers was a UNM professor.

"He always nudged me into place," she said.

He always had a moment to sit down with students to talk about anything, she said.

"He was the most-cited social scientist, but you got the feeling he's a real guy," Myers said. "You could shake hands with him or get a hug."

Anytime she would start research, Myers said she would always begin with his papers.

Rogers wrote 30 books and more than 500 articles. He is best known for his book Diffusion of Innovations, published in 1962.

The diffusion of innovation theory states that any innovation, idea or concrete, spreads through society in an 'S' curve, Myers said, adding the theory applies to any field.

Hall said Rogers was internationally known for his theory.

"He was one of the most renowned scholars," Hall said.

Myers said she took Rogers' class on the diffusion of innovation theory for the credit but sat in a second time to watch him teach.

"He was known for his international research, but what I loved about him was his pedagogy," she said.

One of the most significant accomplishments Rogers made at the University was establishing a doctoral program in communication in 1995, Hall said.

Rogers was chair of the Department of Communications & Journalism from 1992-1997.

He was awarded the 47th Annual Research Lecturer award by the University in 2002.

Hall said the award is the most prestigious research award at the University.

Rogers had been battling kidney cancer and retired from teaching at the end of the summer.

Myers said it was clear he was not doing well at her graduation ceremony in the spring and during the summer.

"I have mixed feelings of incredible sadness," she said. "I'll never sit down in his office again and get his guidance. But also there is the release and relief that he wasn't in pain anymore."

Hall said Rogers leaves a legacy of mentoring in the department.

Rogers' wife, Corinne Shefner-Rogers, was unavailable for comment. Hall said she is out of town returning Rogers' ashes to the farm where he was born in Carrol, Iowa.

Memorial services will be arranged when she returns.