A-State Mourns Death Of Faculty Member Bonnie Thrasher

JONESBORO — Arkansas State University instructor Bonnie Thrasher was found dead in her home Tuesday morning, March 31.  She was an instructor of multimedia journalism and faculty adviser to the student newspaper, The Herald at Arkansas State University.  She joined the A-State faculty in 1993 and taught news reporting, editing and design. 

A memorial service for Thrasher is in the Grand Hall of Fowler Center, Friday, April 3, from 4-6 p.m. At 5 p.m., there will be a moment for those who wish to share memories and reflections to honor Thrasher. Her family will attend. This is the only ceremony in Jonesboro. A funeral will be scheduled in Collinwood, Tenn.

Dr. Brad Rawlins, dean of the College of Media and Communication, expressed the significant contribution Thrasher made to the college:

"As a journalism faculty member and adviser to The Herald, Bonnie has had a positive impact on many students, faculty and staff at Arkansas State for more than 20 years,” he said. “Her former students work in news organizations throughout Arkansas, the Mid-South and across the country.  

“We have heard from several of them and they have expressed their love and gratitude for her mentorship and support.  She will always be remembered for her fun, brash and lively personality, and for how much she cared for students. She was a friend to all who knew her and she will be dearly missed.”

Thrasher was very active in national, regional and local journalism professional organizations.  She was vice president for the College Media Association, the national organization for college media advisers, and secretary/treasurer for the Southeast Journalism Conference (SEJC).  She regularly took students to journalism workshops and competitions, and her students frequently took home several awards from SEJC and the Arkansas College Media Association. 

In 2007, the Arkansas Press Association awarded Thrasher its Journalism Educator of the Year award. The Jonesboro Sun recognized her as a Freedom of Information hero in 2010.  She was a staunch advocate of First Amendment rights and up-to-date journalism education.

Dr. Osa’ Amienyi, chair of the Department of Media in the College of Media and Communication, is serving as spokesperson on behalf of the college.  Direct all inquiries to him at (870) 972-3070 or by e-mail to: osami@astate.edu.