JBHE: Latest News for 6/12/08

In Memoriam

Winston Napier (1953-2008)

Winston Napier, E. Franklin Frazier Associate Professor of English at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, committed suicide last month at a local hospital. Professor Napier had suffered a head injury after a bicycle accident weeks earlier and was rushed to the hospital for emergency brain surgery. Four days after the surgery, Dr. Napier hanged himself in the shower of his hospital room.

A native of Jamaica, Napier came to the United States at the age of 17. He was a graduate of William Paterson College. He held a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Howard University.

Before coming to Clark University, Dr. Napier had served on the faculties at Howard University, Purdue University, George Washington University, and Bates College. At one time he was the editor of the Howard University Journal of Philosophy.

Milton O. Dickerson Jr. (1941-2008)

Milton Dickerson Jr., a psychologist who served in a number of administrative positions at the University of the District of Columbia, died late last month in Washington, D.C. He was 67 years old.

Dickerson was a graduate of LaSalle University in Philadelphia. He held a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from Catholic University of America in Washington.

During a long career in the academic world, Dickerson was assistant to the director in the Office of Personnel Management and Development at the University of the District of Columbia. He also held positions as director of the Center for Student Development and director of the Counseling Services and Consultation Center at the university.

In addition to his career in educational administration, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He appeared in minor roles in feature films and also did television commercial work.