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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Passing of Dr. Lewis Lansky, Founding MCC Faculty Member


I am saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr. Lewis Lansky, professor emeritus of history/political science and founding MCC faculty member, on February 15 at age 77.

Dr. Lansky began his career in 1962 as assistant professor in history/political science. He was among MCC’s original faculty who created departments, wrote curriculum, set in motion academic governance, and laid the foundation for the college’s stability, progress and success.

His passion for teaching is remembered fondly by MCC alumni and MCC faculty. One of his students praised Dr. Lansky in a letter after graduating from MCC in 2002:

In high school, you are taught to memorize facts but this department taught why these facts happened. I have a clear understanding of how the world works by learning history.

David Boni, professor of transitional studies, recalled reading a newspaper article years ago about a hospital patient with quadriplegia who studied history with Dr. Lansky:

Several days a week after teaching his required classes, Lew visited the man in the hospital room where he lived. Lew delivered the course to him, in person, without remuneration, long before anyone used the words "distance learning." Later on the man chose to no longer continue his life support and died peacefully under the care of his physician.

Dr. Lansky not only imparted a deep, critical understanding of U.S. history and a love of learning to students but actively participated in making history, including the time he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965 during the civil rights movement.

He was an active member of the Rochester community, and his service to the college included guiding student clubs, serving on the Special Committee on Administrative Affairs and the Faculty Senate, and supporting the MCC Foundation.

Upon his retirement in 2004 after 42 years of distinguished service with MCC, Dr. Lansky was accorded the rank of professor emeritus.

He is survived by his companion, son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Memorial services will take place Thursday, February 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery and the Shiva will take place in the evening from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester, 1037 Winton Road South.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to The Jonathan Michael Lansky Fund for Disabled Students at Monroe Community College through the MCC Foundation, 228 East Main St., Rochester NY 14604; Johns Hopkins University, c/o Kristin Ruth, 550 North Broadway, Suite 731, Baltimore, MD 21205 (with a note indicating the donation is in memory of Lewis Lansky for the benefit of Parkinson's disease research); or The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester, 441 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607.

Anne M. Kress
Office of the President
02/18/2016