Temple University acting president dies after collapsing on stage
Temple University acting president JoAnne Epps died after collapsing on stage during a memorial service at its Philadelphia campus on Tuesday, the university says.
Ms Epps was taken to Temple University Hospital where she was pronounced dead around 3.15pm, the university said in a statement. She was 72.
Board chairman Mitchell Morgan said there were “no words that can describe the gravity and sadness of this loss” in a statement.
“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.”
Ms Epps had been attending a service for Charles L. Blockson, curator of the Blockson Collection, Mr Morgan said in a statement.
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. pic.twitter.com/lvzxcLud9E
— Temple University (@TempleUniv) September 19, 2023
The Yale Law School graduate served as an assistant US Attorney in Philadelphia and Deputy City Attorney in Los Angeles prior to her arrival at Temple, according to a biography on the university website.
In 2008, she became Dean of Temple Law School and went on to become Executive Vice President and Provost of Temple University in July 2016.
Ms Epps was a “champion” for women and minorities within the legal profession, and worked in leadership roles in the American Bar Association, the National Association of Women Lawyers and the American Law Institute.
