Henry J. Durand Jr., an advocate for disadvantaged students and longtime administrator at the University at Buffalo, passed away on December 27, 2018. He was 70 years old and had suffered from leukemia.
Dr. Durand began his career at the University at Buffalo in 1990 as director of the university’s Educational Opportunity Program, now known as the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program. He held many positions throughout his tenure, ultimately becoming senior associate vice provost of academic affairs and executive director of Cora P. Maloney College. In 2013, the university established The Durand Scholarship in his honor to provide financial support to Cora P. Maloney College students who might otherwise be unable to obtain their degree due to unforeseen circumstances.
Dr. Durand served as president of the Tri-State Consortium of Opportunity Programs in Higher Education, the professional organization for all college-level opportunity program personnel in the states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Additionally, he was a founding member of Opportunity Programs United and served for more than a decade as president of the SUNY Council of Educational Opportunity Program Directors.
“Like many UB students, I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Henry Durand,” said Letitia L. Thomas, director of the university’s STEM diversity programs. “‘Dr. D.’ motivated me to pursue a PhD and helped shape my philosophy of higher education. He was a tireless champion for students, especially those who were first-generation and/or low-income. Working for him over the years was an honor and I learned so much. He will truly be missed.”
Dr. Durand held a bachelor’s degree from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, a master of education degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and a doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. He was a graduate of the executive programs of both the Harvard Management Development Institute and the American Management Association.
