A longtime Penn State faculty member known for his award-winning teaching, expertise in media ethics, and for founding the popular Penn State Traditional American Indian Powwow has died. John Sanchez, an associate professor in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, passed away on March 12. He was 72.
Sanchez joined the Penn State faculty in 1997 and was widely recognized for his impact in the classroom and beyond. In 2023, he received the Dr. James Robinson Award from the University. He also earned the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Bellisario College Alumni Society and was named a distinguished professor in the Schreyer Honors College. Upon retiring in 2024, he was granted emeritus status—an honor he considered among his proudest achievements.
“John Sanchez’s compassion and passion made him a great colleague and wonderful teacher,” said Denise Bortree, interim dean of the Bellisario College. “His made an important impact on campus and in the community, and he will be sorely missed.”
The Dr. James Robinson Award, sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association, recognizes a full-time faculty or staff member who promotes opportunity and enhances the University’s educational environment through cross-cultural understanding.
Colleagues described Sanchez as a transformative educator and leader whose outreach and teaching left a lasting mark.
“For many years, Sanchez has demonstrated leadership in the elimination of discrimination through encouragement of understanding between persons of different races, sexes, age, groups, ethnicity or religious heritage; and he has demonstrated commitment to meeting the special needs of students, faculty or staff who are members of truly underrepresented groups,” a nominator said.
In the classroom, Sanchez emphasized cultural awareness and respect, preparing future journalists and communicators to approach their work with inclusion and understanding. Students said he challenged them to think deeply and act with empathy, leaving them not only educated, but more informed.
A member of the Apache Nation, Sanchez was also widely known as the founder of the Penn State Powwow, which will celebrate its 20th year in 2026. He raised funds and organized the annual two-day event, which brings approximately 250 American Indian dancers from across the continent to State College and draws thousands of visitors each year to experience Native culture, crafts, dance, food, and traditions.
Sanchez taught courses in news media ethics—including an honors section—as well as a class focused on American Indians and the media.
“John was an important figure not only in the Bellisario College but in the Penn State community at large,” said John Affleck, head of the Department of Journalism. “Personally, I also found him to be a warm and welcoming person. We miss him.”
His scholarly work focused on American Indian identity in the 21st century, particularly at the intersection of Native cultures and the American news media. He published extensively in academic journals and authored American Indians and the Mass Media, the first book of its kind, published by Oklahoma Press.
Sanchez was recognized as a leading scholar in intercultural studies by The Communication Institute for Online Scholarship. He was also a Freedom Forum Teaching Fellow and an AEJMC/ASJMC Freedom Forum Journalism Leadership in Diversity Fellow. Throughout his career, he served on the executive boards of the CIC American Indian Studies Consortium and the American Native Press Archives, and advised the American Indian Policy and Media Initiative.
Before joining Penn State, Sanchez taught at American University in Washington, D.C., where he served as academic director of Washington Internships for Native Students, an American Indian leadership program. He also taught courses in American Indian leadership, politics, and broadcast journalism. Under his leadership, President Bill Clinton’s panel on race initiatives recognized the program as one of the top five in the nation. He later continued consulting with Indian Country on education, diversity, and media initiatives.