Beloved Former The Corsair Advisor Charles R. Donaldson Dies at 89
Maria Lebedev | Staff Writer
Former the corsair advisor and SMC professor who devoted his life to journalism will always be remembered warmly.
On Oct. 3, former Santa Monica College (SMC) English and Journalism professor and Corsair advisor Charles R. Donaldson passed away at the age of 89.
While working for The Los Angeles Times, Glendale News Press, and Pasadena City News, Donaldson chronicled major events such as the Watts Riots in 1965 and the San Fernando Earthquake in 1971. After leaving his job as an editor for the L.A. Times, he joined the SMC faculty team in 1973 and served as an advisor for The Corsair until 1992. Donaldson retired in 2004 at the age of 71.
“If you were a student of his, you knew him as someone who cared deeply about always getting the story right and passing his vast knowledge on to others,” said Donaldson’s son Eric Donaldson.
“Mr. D, as we affectionately called him, inspired us to write, and to write well. He launched countless careers in reporting and editing, and always went the extra mile for his students. Many of us stayed in touch with Mr. D throughout our lives, and considered him a dear friend. He will be greatly missed,” said Catherine Ryan, one of Donaldson’s former students.
The former professor and advisor also started the Charles R. Donaldson Scholarship program in 2009, which continues to be awarded to a single student majoring in journalism at SMC. Instead of flowers, Eric Donaldson asked family, friends, and colleagues to make their donations to the fund. Contributions can be made on foundation.smc.edu.
The memorial will be held on Sat., Dec. 16th at 10:30 a.m. at the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church located at 1343 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405.
