Paige WynneCSUSBWesley Niewoehner joined the university in 2001 and served as anthropology department chair and interim ethnic studies department chair.
CSUSB Anthropology Professor and former Department Chair Wesley Niewoehner died unexpectedly of natural causes on Nov. 3. He was 68.
Christina Hassija, dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS), emailed students in Niewoehner’s classes to let them know of his death.
“I know this news is especially difficult and shocking given how sudden it is,” she wrote. “I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to each of you and recognize how difficult and unexpected this news is.”
Provost and VP of Academic Affairs Rafik Mohamed sent a separate email to faculty and staff announcing Niewoehner's passing and sharing a personal anecdote. He described their first encounter at a college faculty meeting in 2015, where he mispronounced Niewoehner’s last name. Niewoehner handled the situation with grace.
“I’ll never forget that first encounter, nor will I forget all Wes did over my years as Dean of SBS and since to support our students, advocate for his colleagues and make CSUSB a better place,” he wrote. “He was ever-present, an excellent teacher, a capable department administrator and a model faculty member.”
Niewoehner joined CSUSB in 2001 and over the last 25 years has served as an anthropology professor, chair for the anthropology department and interim chair for the ethnic studies department.
Niewoehner recently informed his class that he had stepped down from his position as department chair.
“Throughout his long career at CSUSB, he was known for his exceptional teaching and dedicated support of his students,” Hassija wrote.
Students needing support can contact support helplines or visit the in-person services.
Counseling and Psychological Services (909) 537-5040 care@csusb.edu HC-162
