Charles H. Sandage, or more commonly known as the “Father of Advertising Education,” believed advertising should be studied through multiple disciplines, including economics, business, marketing, psychology, and sociology.
His philosophy of educating the next generation of advertising professionals was grounded in theoretical and foundational courses emphasizing the “why of advertising” rather than just the “how.” His work shaped the way advertising is taught today by emphasizing both its purpose and the research needed to understand consumer wants and needs.
Dr. Sandage founded the nation’s first Department of Advertising at the University of Illinois, establishing a model for advertising education that would later influence programs across the country. He also co-founded the American Academy of Advertising, and wrote many books, including Advertising Theory and Practice, The Role of Advertising, and The Practice of Advertising.
He also co-founded the American Academy of Advertising. In 1965, Dr. Sandage was the first advertising educator to receive the Advertising Gold Medal Award, which recognizes distinguished service to the advertising profession. In 1984, he was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame for his extraordinary contributions to the field.
Over the course of his 41-year teaching career, Dr. Sandage inspired hundreds of highly successful advertising professionals and educated more advertising professors with master’s and doctoral degrees than any other educator in the United States.
In recognition of his lasting impact, the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising at the University of Illinois bears his name. The department also honors his legacy through the Sandage Project, a capstone course completed by senior advertising students.
Works Cited
“About Charles Sandage.” Graceland University, https://www.graceland.edu/academics/ch-sandage-school-of-business/about-charles-sandage/
“Charles H. Sandage.” Advertising Hall of Fame, https://advertisinghalloffame.org/inductee/charles-h-sandage/.
“Charles H. Sandage.” Distributed Museum, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, https://distributedmuseum.illinois.edu/exhibit/charles-sandage/.