JoAnne Epps, the 72-year-old interim president of Temple University in Philadelphia, passed unexpectedly on Tuesday after becoming ill during a memorial ceremony, the university announced.
Epps, who assumed her role in April, became unwell at the memorial service and was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead around 3:15 pm.
There are no words to adequately express the severity and anguish of this loss, the institution said in a statement posted on its website and signed by Mitchell Morgan, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Ken Kaiser, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Gregory Mandel, Senior Vice President and Provost. President Epps embodied the greatest qualities of Temple as a loyal servant and friend. She dedicated almost 40 years of her life to this university, so it should go without saying that the community will be affected by her passing for many years.
“However, the university chose not to reveal the reason for her passing.
“At this time, our sympathies are with the family of President Epps and the whole Temple community.
Even though the days ahead may be challenging, we shall rely on one another as President Epps would want us to.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Temple institution is a public research institution affiliated with the state. Russell Conwell, a Baptist pastor, created it in 1884.
