Joye Christanna Gordon, Phd

A service to celebrate the life of Joye Gordon will be held at the Kansas State University Alumni Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday March 26. Joye C. Gordon, Ph.D., died March 7 in Manhattan, Kan. Joye was born in Meridian, Miss., on Dec. 22, 1965, to Joanne and Curtis Gordon. Joanne, in Manhattan, and Curtis, in Louisiana, survive their daughter. She was a loving mother to two daughters, Lora Pellegrin of Ahoskie, N.C., and Marie Pellegrin, of Manhattan, who survive their mother. Joye received her bachelor of science degree in finance from Nicholls State University in 1987 and her master of science degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1990. She went on to receive her doctorate in public affairs and issues management from Purdue University in 1999. Joye, a professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communication, joined the faculty at Kansas State University in 2000. Previously she was an instructor at Nicholls State University. At Kansas State University, Joye led the public relations sequence and taught classes from the introductory level through graduate courses. She was an active advisor of graduate students and worked with undergraduate and graduate students in research. Her research was focused on risk, health, and persuasion communication. Her work was recognized for her scholarly contributions through hundreds of presentations, workshops, journal articles, and book chapters. In addition, she was skillful in securing extramural funding for her work. Devoted to students, Joye involved them in her work, notably taking them in the field to conduct research. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for example, she loaded students in an RV and took them to New Orleans to interview survivors. She enjoyed international travel and worked in India with a delegation from Kansas State University as well as in other countries. Joye loved all things outdoors – hiking, camping, kayaking, biking trails. She was docent for the Konza Prairie Biological Station and a member of the Friends of the Konza Prairie. A member of the Little Apple Brewing Company Hall of Fame, she was named Beer Drinker of the Year in 2013. When possible in her schedule, she was often found playing Jeopardy at LABCO at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be sent to the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home on behalf of Katie’s Way and the Friends of the Konza Prairie.