Tennessee professor swept away by wave during Brazil study-abroad trip has died

COLUMBIA, Tenn. — A Tennessee Community College professor who was swept away by an ocean wave during a study abroad trip in Brazil has died, his school said Monday.

Clifford Gordon, associate professor of art, was walking with three students along an ocean road in Paraty, Brazil, when they stopped to take photos and a wave hit them, according to Columbia State Community College. The three students were not seriously injured, but Gordon was dragged and Brazilian authorities searched for him, the school said.

Columbia State received confirmation Monday morning that Gordon’s body had been found and positively identified.

“We were heartbroken to learn of this tragic accident,” Columbia State President Janet F. Smith said in a statement on the school’s website. “We are grateful that no students were seriously injured. Our university family mourns the loss of Clifford, a talented artist and much loved by his students.”

The school said the Brazil study abroad program included 12 students from four community colleges in Tennessee.

The students were expected to board flights Monday and arrive back in Tennessee on Tuesday, said Rick Locker, a spokesman for the College System of Tennessee. They will receive guidance.

Two of the students who were with Gordon when he was swept away are from Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, while the other attends Walters State Community College in Morristown.

Gordon began working for Columbia State in 2008 as an adjunct professor and then transitioned to a full-time position in 2013. He was also known for his collage and painting works, which were featured in several exhibitions in the state.

Gordon had traveled to Brazil for many summers and even taught himself to speak Portuguese, the school said. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in art from Tennessee State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in studio art from Memphis College of Art.

Paraty is located approximately 241 kilometers west of the city of Rio de Janeiro.