Professor of Communication Michael Cody, one of the leading scholars of social influence processes and a beloved mentor, has died at the age of 74.

Cody died on June 5 in Davenport, FL.

For more than four decades at USC, Cody advanced communication research across multiple disciplines while helping to establish USC Annenberg as a global leader in the study of communication and social change, and inspiring generations of students.

Cody was instrumental in establishing entertainment-education as both a field of study and an area of practice. His groundbreaking work demonstrated how storytelling and media could be harnessed to promote public health, social awareness and positive behavior change. His co-edited volume Entertainment-Education and Social Change: History, Research, and Practice (Routledge, 2004) became a foundational text for scholars and practitioners alike.

With his work spanning interpersonal communication, persuasion, social influence, deception, nonverbal behavior and health communication, Cody authored Persuasive Communication (Cengage Learning, 1994) and Interpersonal Communication: A Goals-Based Approach (Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2000) as well as edited numerous books and published extensively in top journals. He served as editor-in-chief of both Communication Theory and the Journal of Communication, helping to shape the direction of communication scholarship.

While Cody’s scholarly accomplishments were significant, colleagues and former students consistently point to his generosity and devotion to teaching as his defining qualities. He mentored hundreds of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students throughout his career. In 2011, he received USC’s Mellon Award for Excellence in Mentoring graduate students and was twice recognized as Faculty of the Month by Mortar Board.

“Michael worked tirelessly with students,” said Patricia Riley, associate professor of communication. “He was one of those rare faculty members who was always with students. You would see him with graduate students at the computer center on the weekends, with his undergraduates in the library, with students working on independent study projects, etc. His advisees were devoted to him and they often continued to be involved in his research projects long after they left USC for jobs at other research institutions.”

Colleagues fondly recall Cody’s generosity of spirit. Sheila Murphy, professor of communication, said, “Michael was incredibly giving with his time, wit and wisdom and as a result he was universally respected and loved by all lucky enough to cross his path.”

“It’s a sad day, but we recall his kindness, his smile and how he went out of his way to make you feel special,” said Gordon Stables, director of schools. “For someone with his profound impact on the field and his reputation as a scholar, you might have imagined someone who was more focused on themself. But he was a wonderful and warm colleague.”

Throughout his tenure, Cody served in numerous leadership roles, including associate director of the School of Communication, director of doctoral studies, and chair of multiple faculty search and admissions committees. Cody also helped envision new interdisciplinary approaches to communication education. In 2016, he played a central role in launching USC’s master’s degree in communication informatics, a pioneering collaboration between USC Annenberg and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering that explored the intersection of communication, data, technology and social impact.

Cody earned his Ph.D. in communication at Michigan State University in 1978 before joining the faculty of Texas Tech University and later USC in 1982.

Cody is survived by daughter Julia Cody Walkup, her mother Margaret McLaughlin, and their granddaughter Kathryn Winter Walkup.

A celebration of Cody’s life will be held online on June 30 at 2 p.m. ET. RSVP to attend.