In Memoriam

David E. Epperson (1935-2011)

David E. Epperson, dean emeritus of the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, died after suffering cardiac arrest at a meeting of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. He was 76 years old.

Dr. Epperson served as dean of the School of Social Work from 1972 until his retirement in 2001. During his tenure, enrollment tripled and the school ranked among the top 10 percent of social work schools in the country.

A native of Donora, Pennsylvania, Epperson was the son of a steelworker. He served in the Air Force for four years and then enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1961, a master’s degree in social work in 1964, a second master’s degree in political science and international affairs in 1970, and a Ph.D. in political science and public policy in 1975.

One of his daughters, Lia, is a professor at the law school at American University and she is married to Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP.

Epperson is largely credited with building the School of Social Work into what it is today. When he retired in 2001, 22 percent of the students and 25 percent of the faculty were underrepresented minorities. In 2008, an endowed chair in Epperson’s name was established at the School of Social Work.

Thomas E. Lyle (1929-2011)

Thomas E. Lyle, who served as director of bands at Alabama State University from 1964 to 1988, died last month at the age of 82.

Lyle was a graduate of Tennessee State University and completed graduate work at the University of Michigan. After leaving Alabama State, he was director of bands at Stillman College.

Copyright © 2011. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.