Columbia State Professor Swept Away by Wave During Study-Abroad Trip Amid Tragic Accident. Clifford Gordon, an associate professor of art, was walking with three students in Paraty, Brazil when they were struck by a wave. The three students were unharmed, but Gordon was swept away. His body was found and positively identified by Brazilian authorities, leading to an outpouring of grief from the college community. The study-abroad program in Brazil included 12 students from four community colleges in Tennessee, who are scheduled to return to Tennessee with counseling services available to them.
Two of the students who were with Gordon during the accident are from Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, while the other attends Walters State Community College in Morristown. Gordon had been a part of Columbia State since 2008, known for his talents in collage and painting, which were featured in exhibitions across the state. He had a passion for Brazil, having traveled there multiple times during the summer and teaching himself to speak Portuguese. Gordon held a Bachelor of Science degree in art from Tennessee State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in studio art from the Memphis College of Art.
The news of Gordon’s tragic death has sent shockwaves through the college community, as colleagues and students mourn the loss of a beloved professor. Janet F. Smith, the president of Columbia State, expressed the school’s heartbreak over the accident and extended condolences to Gordon’s family and friends. The three students who were present during the incident are receiving support as they prepare to return to Tennessee following the study-abroad program. Paraty, where the accident occurred, is located approximately 150 miles west of Rio de Janeiro.
The College System of Tennessee is providing updates on the situation, with plans in place to assist the students in processing this traumatic event. The community colleges involved in the study-abroad program are working together to ensure that the students have the resources they need to cope with the loss of their professor. Gordon’s dedication to his students and his passion for art have left a lasting impact on those who knew him, with many remembering him for his talent and kindness. The school community continues to come together in support of Gordon’s loved ones as they come to terms with this tragedy.
As the investigation into the accident continues, the focus remains on supporting the students who were part of the study-abroad program and ensuring they have access to counseling and other resources. The College System of Tennessee is working to coordinate the students’ return to Tennessee and provide them with the assistance they need during this difficult time. Gordon’s legacy as a talented artist and beloved professor will live on through the lives of those he touched, with the school community remembering him fondly for his contributions to the arts and his dedication to his students.
