Temple University acting President JoAnne A. Epps has died at age 72 after collapsing onstage at an event Tuesday afternoon.
Epps was taken to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where she was pronounced dead around 3:15 p.m., the university said.
She was attending a memorial service for Charles L. Blockson, curator emeritus of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at the university, when she suddenly collapsed on stage.
A uniformed police officer carried her off the stage and the ceremony was temporarily halted.
Temple University acting President JoAnne A. Epps has died at age 72 after collapsing onstage at an event Tuesday afternoon
Epps was attending a memorial service at Temple University (pictured) when she suddenly collapsed on stage
Her death was confirmed by the university in a statement that said, “It is with deep sorrow that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps passed away suddenly this afternoon.”
“There are no words that can describe the severity and sadness of this loss,” Temple CEO Mitchell Morgan said in the statement.
“President Epps was a dedicated 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 that her loss will have an impact on the community for many years to come.”
Ken Kaiser, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Temple, declined to speculate about Epps’ health before her collapse.
“We are not aware that President Epps has had any health problems,” Kaiser said at a news conference.
Temple University Provost Gregory Mandel choked up as he described Epps.
“We are all in deep sadness and we are at a loss for words.” “To know Joanne is to be her friend,” Mandel said at the press conference.
“She was one of the most remarkably compassionate and caring people I have ever known.”
Mandel said the university’s board of trustees will meet tomorrow to “develop a plan for us as we navigate this transition.”
Epps spoke at a memorial service for Blockson, who died June 14 at age 89 before collapsing.
The event was temporarily paused when it broke down, but resumed with Kimmika Williams Witherspoon, a former faculty senate president, stepping in to read Epps’ remarks.
Epps, a former dean and provost of Temple’s law school, was appointed to the post in April following the resignation of Jason Wingard, who resigned in March after leading the 33,600-student university since July 2021.
Wingard, the university’s first black president, resigned after less than two years in office following a wave of violence on campus.
Epps’ tenure began after 31-year-old Temple University officer Christopher Fitzgerald was shot in February after pursuing three people dressed in black and wearing masks in an area that had seen a spate of robberies.
She was taken to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where she was pronounced dead at about 3:15 p.m., the university said
Temple University Provost Gregory Mandel choked up as he described Epps. “We are all in deep sadness and we are at a loss for words.” “To know Joanne is to be her friend,” he said at a press conference
Temple University police officer Christopher Fitzgerald, 31, was allegedly shot Saturday evening by 18-year-old Miles Pfeffer, 18, who has been charged with a number of charges
Kaiser said Epps started at Temple’s bookstore 40 years ago and was dedicated to improving the university.
Epps vowed to focus on enrollment and safety as crime near the North Philadelphia campus and other problems increased during her predecessor’s turbulent tenure.
She told the Philadelphia Inquirer, which reported that enrollment was down 14 percent since 2019, that she believes she was chosen in part because of her “ability to kind of calm the waters.”
“I’m obviously humbled and excited and really looking forward to being able to contribute to the university that I love so much,” Epps told the newspaper. She said she was not a candidate for the permanent position.
The Temple Association of University Professionals union recalled Epps’ personal touch.
“I remember her coming into my office in April of this year and talking to me privately about how we could work together to make Temple a better place,” union President Jeffrey Doshna said in a statement.
Gov. Josh Shapiro described Epps as “a powerful force and constant ambassador for Temple University for nearly four decades.”
“Your loss is heartbreaking for Philadelphia,” Shapiro said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Lori and I carry JoAnne’s loved ones in our hearts right now. “May her memory be a blessing.”
Kaiser recalled leaving the office when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Temple closed.
“It was our last day in the office, we were together and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll see you in a few weeks,’ and I haven’t really seen her in two years,” Kaiser said.
He later told her that he would have hugged her if he had known they wouldn’t see each other for two years.
Bill Cosby, who has been accused by at least 60 women of a series of sex crimes – all of which he denies – served as a trustee at Temple University from 1982 to 2014.