Sandra Lee Dwyer

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sandra ("Sandy") Dwyer, a beloved philosophy professor at Georgia State University (GSU), who left us on March 23, 2026. Sandy was not just a colleague, mentor, and educator; she was a cherished friend and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Sandy was born to Charles Harrell Dwyer and Leah James Dwyer on December 27 of 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was a longtime faculty member in the Department of Philosophy at Georgia State University and a dedicated educator and mentor who shaped generations of students and instructors. Over more than two decades, she played a central role in training graduate student teachers, helping to define the university's approach to teaching critical thinking and philosophy. Widely regarded as a pillar of the department, she received national recognition for her excellence in teaching and, upon her retirement, was named Georgia State's first Principal Senior Lecturer Emerita.

Throughout her remarkable career, Sandy made an indelible impact on the lives of countless students and colleagues. Testimonials pouring in since her retirement reveal just how transformative her presence was. It is no exaggeration to say that Sandy improved the lives of thousands of students. Given the size of GSU's graduate program, and her crucial role in shaping it into an internationally leading MA program for training graduate instructors, Sandy likely taught more graduate students than any other professor in her field. She not only educated many hundreds on the craft of teaching but inspired them to become better human beings through the art of education.

The graduate students she mentored went on to influence countless undergraduate students, creating a ripple effect that enriched the academic community at GSU and beyond. Because of Sandy's unwavering guidance and mentorship, GSU became a much better place for students to study the humanities.

Colleagues and students alike remember Sandy as a profoundly decent human being, known for her caring, compassionate, and generous nature. Our world is poorer for her absence, but it is much richer for having had her in it. Among the cherished memories shared by her former students are "Dwyerisms," witty nuggets of wisdom that encapsulated her unique approach to life and teaching. One of the favorites was, "Either you'll die young, or you won't."

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Leah Dwyer. She is survived by her brothers, Charles ("Buck") Dwyer and James ("Jim") Dwyer; her sister, Patricia ("Patty") Mitchell; her nieces, Lea Schmidtt and Kelly Vigil and their children; and numerous cousins and in-laws. She also leaves behind her longtime companion and roommate, Anne Owens, with whom she shared a close and enduring friendship and whose presence was a constant source of support and joy in her life.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the www.aspca.org