She was born Jan. 29, 1942, in Loogootee, Indiana to the late Joseph C. and Marcella (Michaels) Risacher.
Joanne was a graduate of St. John High School in 1960. She then received her Bachelors in English from St. Mary of the Woods College, Masters in Counseling from Indiana University and her PhD in Higher Education Administration from Ohio University.
Some of Joanne’s many accomplishments include Head Resident of University of Wisconsin – OshKosh August 1966-1968, Resident Advisor at Northern Illinois University 1968-1971 and Faculty Member at Ohio University. In 1971 she began her career as a Faculty Member at Wright State University and worked until her illness. At Wright State she held several capacities including, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Student Development, Assistant Vice President of Student Life, Senior Student Affairs Officer, Assessment Project Director and Director of the Student Affairs in Higher Education Master Program. She also taught many courses in Student Affairs in the Higher Education Graduate Program and held a Faculty Member position in Leadership Studies Department.
Joanne also served on many academic committees, published in many academic publication and was affiliated with several professional associations.
She received many awards in her career including ACPA Diamond Honoree, OCPA Phillip A. Tripp Distinguished Service Award, ACPA Outstanding State Division Leader and Wright State University Administrator of the Year Award four different times.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph C. and Marcella (Michaels) Risacher and brother, Donald (Doris) Risacher.
She is survived by her niece, Donna (Royden) Graber of Loogootee; great niece, Amber (Phillip) Smith of Loogootee; great nephew, Adam (Allison) Graber of Loogootee; great-great nieces and nephews, Jaxon and Emersyn Smith and Elliot and Fallyn Graber.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Very Rev. J. Kenneth Walker at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 12, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loogootee. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Blake Funeral Home in Loogootee.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Student Affairs Initiative Fund, Carrie Mueller, University Development, Wright State University 3rd Floor, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435 or wright.edu/give/SAHEInitiatives.
Condolences may be made online at www.blakefuneralhomes.com
