Michael O. Sawyer, 83 died Tuesday, December 24, 2002, at Birchwood Health Care Center, Clay, of complications from Alzheimer's disease. Sawyer was a Syracuse native. He earned a bachelor's degree from SU in 1941, a master's degree from SU in 1947 and a doctorate from SU in 1957. He earned a juris doctorate degree from George Washington University in 1965. He joined the Maxwell faculty in 1948 and was named full professor in 1965. He began working with Eggers, then the chancellor, in 1972. He received several university awards, including the 1986 Outstanding Professor of Syracuse University. After his retirement in 1990, Maxwell alumni and colleagues established The Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics. A student award named for Sawyer is considered one of the most prestigious awards a student can receive.

Falardeau Funeral Home, Baldwinsville, is handling arrangements, which were incomplete Thursday. A memorial service will be scheduled at SU's Hendricks Chapel.