Business Department Loses Frank Cross

By Issac Graham · The Mainstream
Published November 30, 2011

The common feeling surrounding the death of business instructor Frank Cross is one of disbelief in both the UCC community and the community of Springfield where he lived. Cross was reported missing Sunday, Nov. 20, and his body was discovered in Lane County’s Dorris Ranch Park the following day.

“All I could do was stutter when they told me in class,” said Cassie Wall, a business student who is enrolled in BA101 which was previously taught by Cross. 

Wall added, “He was like the best teacher ever.  He made everything seem so easy and understandable. I think . . . something should be done for him.”

Cross was appreciated by his colleagues as well.  Martha Joyce, the Business and Paralegal Department Chairperson, expressed her sadness that Cross’ time on campus was cut so short. “We didn’t get to know him long, and I know he was a truly compassionate, caring person and teacher.  What a loss that our students and staff won’t get to have that.”

Cross had a passion for education which he brought to the classroom.

“He believed very strongly in education and a practical approach to learning things,” said Greg Mott, the planning manager for the city of Springfield who worked with Cross since Cross joined Springfield’s planning commission about seven years ago.

Mott and others who have commented on the case are baffled by the death of Cross.  Mott said, “My world got moved over a notch, dislocated from reality when I heard the news.

“He was always the most level headed commission member and if things got emotional . . . Frank was always calm,” added Mott. “He was never discourteous and was always interested in what others had to say. It was always a pleasure to work with Frank.”

In the midst of the loss of this instructor, the business department is determined to create an environment in which students are able to succeed.  Joyce said the department is working with students by “being flexible in the classroom and doing all we can to connect with the students and make sure that we fill in any gaps that students have brought to us and then helping them to prepare for final exams.”

The department has assigned Cross’ classes to full time faculty in order to fill the instructional gap left by Cross’ passing.  These faculty members will be “teaching out” the classes previously taught by Cross until the end of the term.

Joyce emphasized to students that counselors are available on campus and encouraged students to go to the counseling center.  “There are a lot of people who are hurting right now,” she said.  Counselors are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Campus Center.

Preliminary approval has been arranged for a temporary full time instructor to fill in until the end of the 2012 spring term.

The investigation of Cross’ death is still underway.  According to Sergeant Slater of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, four to six weeks will likely be required for an announcement of the cause of death to be released.

Cross is survived by his wife Kate and his two sons Benjamin of Brownsville, Oregon and Timothy of Springfield, Oregon.  A memorial service was held on Friday at the Ross Evans Chapel at Northwest Christian University In Eugene.

The author of this article was enrolled in one of Cross’ classes at the time of his death.