In Memoriam: Dr. Martha Logsdon

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of long-time Political Science professor Martha Logsdon. She died May 14, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn.

Logsdon joined the Department of Political Science at Central Michigan University in 1971 and retired in 2009. She also served as an associate dean during her tenure.

Her research specialty was Southeast Asia, and she lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for several years while completing research for her dissertation. Logsdon was one of the first women to obtain her Ph.D. from Yale University and was also instrumental at establishing the Women's Studies program at the university. 

“When she joined CMU in the early 1970s, she was one of a new generation of faculty that helped modernize the campus by helping students gain more rights regarding protest, advocacy, and freedom of speech,” said Thomas Greitens, Chair of the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service at CMU.

“Her area of research focused on Indonesia and Southeast Asia, but I will always remember how she talked fondly of using modern music to engage her freshman students in PSC 105,” said Greitens.

Logsdon’s family hosted a private memorial event in her honor and asks that any commemorations go to Doctors Without Borders, the ACLU, the Humane Society, or any organization of your choice.