In Memoriam

Lawrence Charles Hawkins Sr. (1919-2009)

Lawrence Charles Hawkins Sr., the first African American to serve as dean at the University of Cincinnati, died earlier this month at his home in Evendale, Ohio. He was 90 years old.

Hawkins was born in Greenville, South Carolina, the son of a sharecropper. He earned two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and a Ph.D., all from the University of Cincinnati. During World War II, he was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. After the war, he taught in the public schools in Cincinnati and later served as a junior high principal.

In 1969 Dr. Hawkins joined the administration and the faculty at the University of Cincinnati. He served as dean of the College of Community Services, vice president and vice provost for continuing education and metropolitan affairs, and senior vice president for administration. In 1977 he was promoted to full professor of education and community services.

Copyright © 2009. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.