- An esteemed figure in the academic world, JoAnne A. Epps served as Temple University’s acting president.
- After becoming unwell at a memorial event for Charles L. Blockson, a curator of a collection of African American artifacts, at Temple University, JoAnne Epps passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the age of 72.
- Epps was taken to Temple University Hospital, where doctors gave her a prognosis of death at 3:15 p.m. According to Daniel del Portal of Temple University Health System, she looked to have experienced a “sudden episode” during the incident.
- Jason Wingard, the university’s first Black president, resigned in April 2023, and Epps was named acting president. She had worked as Temple’s top academic officer, the executive vice president and provost, and the dean of the university’s law school during her more than three decades as a faculty member.
- Epps began her career 40 years ago in Temple’s bookshop and has devoted her life to enhancing the institution. She said that her mother spent 40 years as a secretary at the institution. Many alumni, faculty members, staff members, and students adored her and praised her for being kind, considerate, modest, and fun.
