In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Gwendolyn Andrews, 1932-2025

Andrews spent four decades as a pioneer in the nursing profession, including as a nurse educator. In 1953, Andrews was hired as the first instructor of nursing at what is now Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

In Memoriam: Margaret Ambrose

Ambrose was a faculty member and administrator at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for over three decades. She held several leadership roles throughout her tenure, including one year of service as interim chancellor.

In Memoriam: Mary Belle McDonald, 1938-2025

A scholar of nutrition and dietetics, McDonald served as a longtime faculty member with the University of Missouri. She was the institution's third-ever African American professor.

In Memoriam: Joycelyn Nicole Wilson, 1975-2025

A senior instructor of mathematics at Spelman College in Atlanta, Professor Wilson was found deceased on February 9 at Lake Oconee after an empty boat was found circling the lake.

In Memoriam: Matthew Holden Jr., 1931-2025

A well-known leader in the field of political science, Dr. Holden taught at several universities throughout the country, including over two decades on the faculty at the University of Virginia.

In Memoriam: L. Clifford Davis, 1924-2025

In 1946, Davis applied to the University of Arkansas School of Law, making him the school's first-ever Black applicant. Although he was denied, his application inspired the law school's leadership to develop a plan to integrate the university. The institution enrolled its first Black student two years later.

In Memoriam: Alvin F. Poussaint, 1934-2025

Dr. Poussiant was a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School for 50 years. He was a dedicated advocate of mental health who worked to advance Black representation in medicine and reduce racial disparities in healthcare.

In Memoriam: JMal Stewart, 1974-2025

With over two decades of experience in human resources, Stewart spent the past 11 years as a senior talent acquisition manager for the advancement division at Virginia Tech.

In Memoriam: Lonnie R. Snowden, 1947-2025

Dr. Snowden served as a professor of social welfare and public health policy at the University of California, Berkeley from 1978 until his passing in January. He was dedicated to advancing research on mental health services and eliminating racial disparities in healthcare.

In Memoriam: Jerry Washington Ward, Jr., 1943-2025

Dr. Ward taught English at Tougaloo College in Mississippi for over three decades. He then served a a distinguished professor at Dillard University in New Orleans for 10 years before his retirement in 2012.

In Memoriam: Kiah Duggins

Kiah Duggins was one of the 67 victims who died in the recent plane crash in Washington, D.C. She was scheduled to join the faculty at the Howard University School of Law as an associate professor for the fall 2025 semester.

In Memoriam: Samuel J. Dunn, 1922-2025

From 1957 to 1992, Dr. Dunn led what is now the department of natural resources and environmental design at North Carolina A&T State University. He was instrumental in expanding his department's research output and academic programming.

In Memoriam: James O’Leary Maxwell, 1938-2025

Dr. Maxwell served as a faculty member and administrator with historically Black Southwestern Christian College for almost 50 years, including four decades of service as vice president of institutional expansion.

In Memoriam: Edwina Battle Vold, 1935-2025

Dr. Void taught early childhood education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for nearly two decades, including 13 years of service as chair of her department. Earlier in her career, she taught at historically Black Norfolk State University in Virginia.

In Memoriam: Archie Wade, 1939-2025

Hired as the university's first Black faculty member in 1970, Archie Wade taught in the College of Education at the University of Alabama for 30 years.

In Memoriam: Adrienne Gaines, 1976-2025

A longtime member of the University of Arkansas community, Gaines served as an academic advisor and mentor to students in the university's College of Business and College of Engineering.

In Memoriam: Harold W. Jordan, 1937-2024

A 1958 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in biology, Dr. Jordan went on to earn his medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville. He became a resident at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 1964.

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