John E. Stanga Jr. taught political science at Wichita State for nearly 40 years. He was chairman of the political science department for six years and also served on the faculty senate.
He mentored and befriended many students, who have become lawyers, judges, politicians. His guest book is filled with messages from them. “He was an excellent teacher. I loved his stories,” writes Tom Sawyer ’84. “I later knew him from his involvement in the local Democratic party. He will be missed.”
And from Brian Curtis ’95: “I was a wee freshman trying to make a point with my insistent ‘Dr. Stanga! Dr. Stanga!’ You turned to me and said, ‘Youngster, I have a first name and it isn’t Doctor.’ Thank you, John, for being a friend.”
Dr. John Stanga died Dec. 30, 2008, in Wichita.
