Joanne Epps Temple University: JoAnne A. Epps, the acting president of Temple University, passed away Tuesday afternoon around 3:15 pm, the University announced her demise. She was 72 years old.
Joanne Epps Temple University Acting President Dies
Ms. JoAnne Epp became ill during a memorial service at Temple, then she was taken to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia for additional treatment and shortly enunciated dead on 19 September Tuesday around 3:15 pm.
Joanne Epps, 72, first joined Temple’s faculty in 1985, a Cheltenham, Pennsylvania native, had several positions at Temple. She became the acting president in April following the resignation of Jason Wingard, the university’s first Black president, as per the Washington Post.
Her abrupt death now became a question of discussion, but the Temple officials did not reveal a cause for her death.
“We’re all in deep grief and at a loss for words. We grieve for JoAnne’s family, her friends, and our Temple community,” Mandel said, “We’ve worked together in several different capacities over the years.”
Further, he added, “She’s been an extraordinary leader, she’s been a mentor for me and many others, she’s been a close confidant.”
The University released a statement, “She had an amazing ability to be the calming force in troubled waters and pull everyone together and was a pleasure to work for, made every day coming into work fun and was steering the Temple ship in the right direction.”
Ken Kaiser, the senior vice president and COO of Temple, said “I think it’s just a gut punch right now. It’s hard.”
Joanne Epps Cause of Death
JoAnne A. Epps, Temple University’s acting president with a long distinguished career, died after falling ill on the stage during a University event. The cause of her death was not immediately known.
Williams-Witherspoon, who was sitting next to Epp when Blockson’s event going to start, noticed something was wrong with JoAnne, “I said JoAnne, are you OK?” Mr. Witherspoon recalled. “She didn’t respond. Her eyes were open. I touched her hand and said, ‘In the name of Jesus.”
Mitchell L. Morgan, chair of the board of trustees, said “I am devastated by this loss, She was our light at the end of the tunnel. Temple University will survive it. I’m not sure I will emotionally survive it.”
