LaMont Toliver, the director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and assistant dean of undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, died while at work late last month after suffering a heart attack. He was 48 years old.
Toliver was a native of Pittsburgh. An outstanding athlete in high school, he received a scholarship to attend the Virginia Military Institute. He graduated from VMI in 1985 with a degree in literature. He earned a master’s degree at the University of Virginia and, at the time of his death, was pursuing a doctorate at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Toliver served on the staff at UMBC for 22 years. Freeman Hrabowski, president of UMBC, stated, “LaMont’s passing is a tragic loss for the Meyorhoff’s Scholars Program family and the entire university community. LaMont graced us with his considerable abilities, his leadership and deep compassion, and his wisdom, wit, and determination. His example will continue to inspire us.”
The Meyerhoff Scholars Program aims to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering and related fields. The UMBC Meyerhoff family is now more than 1,000 strong, with 700 alumni across the nation and 230 students enrolled at UMBC. Nearly 300 graduates of the Meyerhoff program are currently pursuing graduate and professional degrees in STEM fields.
