Memorial Service for Sharon Dudgeon

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UPDATE: The memorial service for Sharon Dudgeon will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Memorial Church. The family will start to receive family and friends starting at 1 p.m. at PMC.  All are invited to attend and celebrate the life of Sharon.

For those unable to attend in person, a livestream of the service will be available beginning at 2 p.m. at andrews.edu/livestream.

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We are very sad to announce the untimely death of our friend and long-time WAUS general manager Sharon Dudgeon.

Unfortunately, Sharon was seriously injured in an accident last Thursday, Nov. 17, and she never regained consciousness following that injury. She passed away earlier today.

She was recognized earlier this year for three decades of service at Andrews University and with WAUS-FM, our campus classical music radio station.

Sharon has had a remarkable and lasting impact on our campus community, as well as throughout the southwest Michigan community where Andrews University is located. Her contributions to Andrews over the years have reflected  great enthusiasm, skill and a commitment to excellence.

Sharon first began work in her current position as general manager of WAUS-FM in 1994. Under her leadership, her development efforts led to increased listeners and financial support for the station from throughout Michiana and beyond southwest Michigan to Chicago and other cities, and also throughout the world through its online web stream.

Prior to her work as WAUS-FM general manager, she also worked at radio stations in Kansas and Kentucky and served as music director for WAUS-FM for three years in the 1980s.

Sharon was active in both Adventist World Radio and the Adventist Radio Network. She also remained active in the local community, including serving on the Southwest Michigan Symphony board and the Berrien Springs/Eau Claire Rotary Club, where she previously served as the club’s local president. Her passion for music extended to her involvement in campus singing groups, including the University Chorale and University Singers.

She was born in Oswego, New York, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Atlantic Union College, South Lancaster, Massachusetts, in 1979. In 1986, Sharon received a Master of Music from Andrews University and in 2009 she earned a Master of Arts in community counseling from Andrews. Sharon worked at Shepard House Counseling in St. Joseph, Michigan, from 2010–2017 and at Life Coach Psychology in Berrien Springs, Michigan from 2017 until the present.

She was preceded in death by her mother Jane and sister Marcia.

Memorial service details will be announced in late November, following the American Thanksgiving weekend.

Sharon had a wonderful heart for others and she will be deeply missed by the Andrews University and the WAUS-FM families, as well as by her friends and family from throughout the world. Family and friends can leave memories and condolences in the comments section below.