Temple University Acting President Joanne Epps died suddenly on Tuesday, according to reports. — TRIBUNE PHOTO / ABDUL SULAYMAN
- Philadelphia Tribune Staff Report
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- Temple University’s acting president JoAnne Epps, 72, died after collapsing during a memorial program on Tuesday.
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- Epps was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, the university said.
“No one was more beloved at our university than JoAnn was,” Temple Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ken Kaiser said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. “She was a personal friend and mentor to so many of us, and she pushed each of us to be the best version of ourselves that we possibly could be.”
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Epps, the university’s former law school dean and provost, was named to the post in April following the resignation of Jason Wingard, Temple’s first Black president. Wingard resigned in March after leading the 33,600-student university since July 2021. Epps had firmly stated she had no aspirations to fill the top position.
Provost Gregory N. Mandel said the Board of Trustees will meet tomorrow to determine a plan forward and there will be a vigil at the Bell Tower in the heart of campus tomorrow at noon.
“We are all in deep grief and at a loss of words,” Mandel said. “This is a tragic loss but we know JoAnne passed away doing something that she loved, with her family, her friends, and the Temple community. President Epps represented the best part of the Temple community, devoting nearly 40 years of her life.”
In a release from Temple University Tuesday afternoon:
Dear Members of the Temple Community,
It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon.
While attending a memorial service at Temple for Charles L. Blockson, curator of the Blockson Collection, President Epps became ill. She was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead around 3:15 p.m.
There are no words that can describe the gravity and sadness of this loss. President Epps was a devoted servant and friend who represented the best parts of Temple. She spent nearly 40 years of her life serving this university, and it goes without saying her loss will reverberate through the community for years to come.
The days ahead will be difficult, but we will lean on one another as President Epps would want us to.
Sincerely,
Mitchell L. Morgan
Chair, Board of Trustees
Ken Kaiser
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Gregory N. Mandel
Senior Vice President and Provost
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who represents North Philly and is a Temple alum, released a statement with two other colleagues from the Philadelphia house delegation mourning Epps’ passing.
“I met JoAnne Epps when I was a 17-year-old freshman at Temple University,” Kenyatta said in the statement. “Though our titles have changed over the years one thing never did, and that was she was always a friend and a mentor. I am devastated for her husband and her family and the entire Temple community. The world is missing one of its’ bright lights with the loss of JoAnne. I will miss her always.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
