Celebration of Life and Legacy of Sociology's Donald D. Sieger on Feb. 22

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The University of Arkansas Department of Sociology and Criminology recently said goodbye to former faculty member Donald D. Sieger. Sieger, 91, died Jan. 11, 2019, after a lengthy illness.

The department will host a celebration of Sieger's life, recognizing his contributions to the department and the University of Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History.  

Sieger was born in Duluth, Minnesota to Vivian and Emma Bergman Sieger. He graduated with a B.A. degree from University of Minnesota and also attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He taught at Georgia State University between 1959 and 1962.

Sieger joined the Department of Sociology at the University of Arkansas in 1963, and received tenure in 1970. In 1987, he was recognized with the Master Teacher Award in Fulbright College. He taught many courses over the years, including one of the most popular sociology courses, Extremism.

Associate professor Steven Worden remembers Don Sieger as "a Shakespearean lecturer," an instructor who "enjoyed dramatic lectures that he would give in front of students" and who "was very popular with students because he would lecture on things like race and extremist groups." 

Often appearing to be a quiet man, Sieger absolutely came alive in the classroom supplementing his sociological insights with the presentation of a seasoned actor. Sieger taught classes from freshman to graduate level and was highly sought after as an advisor.  

University professor William Schwab, former department chair and Fulbright College dean, remembers Sieger as "a scholar with a breadth and depth of knowledge of his research field that few in the profession enjoy. He brought this same dedication to the classroom; his students remember his passion and insight into the discipline that he loved."

Former chancellor Daniel Ferritor remembers Sieger as "the person others went to discuss sociology. He was truly a sociologist's sociologist. Don was an all-around faculty member well-liked and respected by his peers. When a new faculty arrived in sociology or any one of other the social sciences, Don would be the first to introduce himself and then serve as a great resource for the new faculty."

Don Sieger will be greatly missed by colleagues and students alike, and while he may be gone he will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Sieger.