Emerson A. Cooper, long-time faculty member and administrator at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, died at his home earlier this month. He was 88 years old.
Dr. Cooper joined the Oakwood University faculty in 1948 as an instructor of chemistry. He served as a full professor of chemistry from 1959 to 1992. He served three terms as chair of the chemistry department.
He also held many administrative roles at the university including dean of academic affairs, special assistant to the vice president for academic affairs, and in 1985 he spent one semester as interim president of the university.
The science complex at Oakwood University was named in his honor in 1993. The university has also established the Emerson A. Cooper Scholarship Fund. Dr. Cooper’s daughter, Margo A. Bagley, is a professor of law at the University of Virginia.