In a career distinguished by academic feats and innovative thinking, Ruth Simms Hamilton was forever on the verge of unprecedented research.

Just last week, the slain 66-year-old urban affairs professor told The State News about plans to launch a program focusing on urbanization and globalization next year.

The blueprint for the project was among the many designed and spearheaded by Hamilton during her 35 years as a scholar, professor and mentor at MSU.

"The program on global dimensions of urban experience is very important," Hamilton said six days before she was found dead in her Meridian Township home.

"It's difficult to talk about things going on in Michigan today without considering what's going on around the world."

It is Hamilton's global thinking and dedication that will be most missed by the community of students, professors and administrators now mourning her death.

On Wednesday, those who knew Hamilton called her an "intellectual powerhouse" and a "great mind."

They spoke about her pioneering work in African migration, an area of study in which she authored 11 volumes on the Diaspora.

"It's a devastating loss for Michigan State University and the university community," said George Cornell, a professor of American studies and history. "She was an outstanding scholar and one of the truly brilliant people to work with."

In addition to her research and teaching classes on campus, Hamilton mentored dozens of students nationwide. She taught sociology, theory, race and ethnicity courses at the university.

A colleague and friend of Hamilton's for 26 years, David Wiley, director of MSU's African Studies Center, remembers the professor as an "excellent teacher."

"This is an absolutely irreplaceable faculty member at MSU," he said.

Hamilton guided and pushed such students as June Thomas, now a professor of urban studies, during her long career at the university.

Decades ago, Thomas was enrolled in Hamilton's classes as an undergraduate student.

"Ruth was my favorite teacher," Thomas said. "I took four classes from her - that's how much I liked her. She was an extraordinary teacher, a wonderful scholar and a great friend."

Thomas and Hamilton developed a close friendship as Hamilton became Thomas' role model, inspiring and influencing her.

"She was the kind of woman that basically when she walked into a room, she just took charge," Thomas said. "She had a driving intellect; even in everyday conversations, you had to be ready to talk to her."

On many occasions, Hamilton was honored for her work.

In 1995, she was honored with the Ralph Smuckler Award for advancing international studies and programs at MSU. In 1991, she received the Association of Black Sociologists Distinguished Scholar Award.

Marietta Baba, the dean of the College of Social Science, said Hamilton possessed an "unusual talent" and will be deeply missed - but her work won't end with her death.

"We're going to have to continue her work and find people who can come forward and lead it," Baba said. "It will be a setback to decide how to go forward without her."

Her work was noticed within the department of social science and at the highest levels of the university.

In a statement released Wednesday, MSU President M. Peter McPherson called Hamilton a "cherished and honored member of the MSU community."

"Her commitment to scholarship and to global understanding won her the admiration of students, faculty, researchers and so many others over the years," he said.

"Surely, the impact of her work and service lives on in her publications, in her example and in the many students now located throughout the world she so profoundly impressed inside and outside the classroom."

Friends said Hamilton is survived by her daughter, Priscilla, and her son, Bramlett, who is charged with her murder.

Her late husband, James B. Hamilton, was an MSU assistant provost who helped establish the university's Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Her friends know that she will be missed inside and outside the classroom.

"She was an intellectual powerhouse, and she was always very happy," Thomas said.

"She was 66, but she looked 56 and full of energy; I'd see her at the (Michigan Athletic Club) and she was just her usual, vivacious, energetic self."

Sarah McEvilly contributed to this report.