Fond Farewell: Retired Student Affairs Staff Tom Sawyer

Retired staff member Tom Sawyer, who served the University in student support roles for 32 years, passed away July 18. He was 79.

Born February 28, 1941, in Nevada, he graduated from Escalon High School in 1959 and after serving four years in the Air Force, he attended Modesto Junior College and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology from Chico State. As a student, he was a member of the Veterans Club, the national philosophy honor society Phi Sigma Tau, and the Chico State College Human Relations Institute.

Sawyer was hired by the University in 1970 and held numerous roles through his long tenure, most notably assistant to the dean of students, coordinator for Student Judicial Affairs, coordinator for Re-Entry Student Services, and an advisor and counselor in Career Planning. He also worked in Financial Aid, Admissions, and job development, outreach, and student employment.

With a big heart and passion for helping others, Sawyer befriended students and colleagues alike. He was known for always having a smile and a positive outlook. 

“Tom’s heart was always enthusiastically for students and prospective students and truly hearing their needs and hopes,” said Abe Baily, retired dean of students. “He had a number of formal titles and official roles at [Chico State] after being my assistant, but all that heart, coupled with persistent advocacy, was for students.” 

Baily treasures many fond memories working with Sawyer in relation to campus events such as concerts and Pioneer Week. But he also remembers collaborating together on a process for student discipline and grievances against faculty and staff—believed to be the first formal process of its kind in the nation—and co-authoring an article for a federal journal that compared student volunteer programs in California with those in Appalachia.

Jim Jessee, retired director of Academic Publications, Facilities, and Database Services, first met Sawyer 49 years ago and they became fast friends as they worked together often in their various roles. Sawyer, he said, always led with his heart, whether lobbying for space on campus for student groups and programs or advocating for students in crisis.

“Tom was always asking us to help flooded or burned-out students, staff, or families, and forever was collecting or encouraging us to give to those who needed help,” he said.

Their professional interactions developed into a lifelong friendship. They shared with one another their dreams and secrets, worries, and aspirations, as well as chats about their children and grandchildren. They called themselves running buddies, “not that there was any running going on. We just hung out and talked on the phone often,” Jessee said. “Our last words to each other were, ‘I love you.’”

Sawyer was a proud member of the Student Affairs Group, a fellowship of colleagues and friends from primarily Chico State but also Butte College. For nearly 50 years, he was among a core group that played poker monthly, regularly fielded a baseball team, and spent a week on a houseboat every summer.

Outside of work, he enjoyed community service, fishing, dancing, and quality time with his family. He retired in 2002.

Sawyer is survived by his wife of 21 years, Sharon; sons Curtis, Mark, and Steven Sawyer, and Randy Heldt; sister Diana Mullins; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We will lower the University flag Thursday, September 3, in his memory. A celebration of life is planned in Chico when circumstances permit, and we will share details when we learn them.