Faculty member dies

The IU community has lost an esteemed alumnus and faculty member.\nGeorge Sullivan, the theater department's director of audience development, was found dead at his home on North Park Avenue in the early evening of March 5. Monroe County Coroner Dave Toumey pronounced Sullivan dead at the scene, ruling the death an apparent suicide.\nNeighbors notified police after they had not seen Sullivan for a couple of days, authorities said. Police arrived on the scene in the early evening of March 5, Toumey said. Reports indicate Sullivan had passed nearly two days prior to the authorities' discovery. Authorities later discovered that Sullivan had suffered from depression and had previously worked with a counselor. Family members confirmed this discovery, official reports indicate.\nWord of Sullivan's death reached campus faculty this week, shocking those who knew him. School of Journalism associate professor Carol Polsgrove had served as Sullivan's dissertation co-director when he worked on his doctoral degree in mass communications through the School of Journalism.\n"I was shocked and saddened by the news," Polsgrove said. "I knew him quite well. He was a really talented fellow, very energetic."\nSullivan's academic resume included an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a law degree, a masters in theater and a doctoral degree in mass communications both from IU. School of Journalism professor David Nord had Sullivan as a student in one graduate studies class.\n"He was a great student and a very interesting student," Nord said. "When I knew him, he had already been a lawyer and was very interested in communications law. I do know he was a good student, very engaging. I enjoyed him very much."\nThose close to Sullivan in the theater department were also saddened by the news of Sullivan's death. Theater and Drama professor George Pinney said his and Sullivan's paths crossed from time to time when he was a student in the master's program.\n"George was a warm and engaging person with a contagious laugh," Pinney said. "I was absolutely shocked (when I learned) first through e-mail and then through friends. I found him to be very passionate and very positive… there was no indication that this could have occurred, at least not to me."\nPinney and Sullivan were set to work together on the promotion of the spring musical "Parade." Sullivan did all the publicity for the department's shows, Pinney said.\nTheater and Drama department undergraduate advisor Charles Railsback was a working colleague with Sullivan within the department, and knew of Sullivan's broad academic background.\n"He was a very bright man that had a wide range of interests," Railsback said.\nRailsback said Sullivan came to IU in the 1980s, giving up a career in law to pursue a master's degree in theater. At one point, Sullivan had even acted and enjoyed dramatic literature, Railsback said. He also said Sullivan's academic interests speak impressively of him. Last semester, Sullivan came and spoke to one of Railsback's classes for a full hour about audience development, Railsback said.\n"He seemed to like it, and I think the student appreciated him as well," Railsback said. "He was a cooperative gentlemen that had enthusiasm for education and theater…he was easy to talk to and work with and we'll miss him."\nSullivan is survived by his parents and one sister. A memorial service is in the works, but no source could confirm the date and time of the event.\nCapt. Joe Qualters of the Bloomington Police Department could not be reached for comment.