Ithaca College’s Donald Lifton, an associate professor in the Department of Management, died suddenly Dec. 5, the college announced Dec. 6.

“Don was a master teacher in the finest sense of the word,” the announcement from the college said. “He took great pleasure in mentoring other faculty who desired to improve the quality of their teaching, and he did so with great humility.”

Lifton made a difference both in and out of the classroom, according to the announcement. Lifton was well known for creating and instructing the class World of Business. He was formerly a member of the college’s Faculty Council and devoted his tenure there toward the advancement of faculty rights and responsibilities.

The announcement from the college read, “He was an outstanding colleague who never shied away from tackling substantive faculty issues and seeing them through to successful conclusion.”

The college encourages any student who needs support to contact Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. Any faculty or staff members can reach out to the Employee Assistance Program for support.

Information about memorial services will be released when it becomes available.