Temple University's acting President JoAnne A. Epps has died at age 72 after falling ill at an event. On Tuesday, the president attended an event in honor of Charles L. Blockson, curator of the Blockson collection, when she became ill. Epps was immediately taken to Temple University Hospital where, at 3:15 p.m., she was pronounced dead:
Dear Members of the Temple Community,
It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/lvzxcLud9E
— Temple University (@TempleUniv) September 19, 2023
Temple's Senior Vice President and COO Ken Kaiser talked with CBS about JoAnne A. Epps, highlighting the work she had done at the university: "She had an amazing ability to be the calming force in troubled waters and pull everyone together and was a pleasure to work for, made every day coming into work fun and was steering the Temple ship in the right direction. I think it's just a gut punch right now. It's hard."
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also sent his condolences, saying Epps was a "powerful force and constant ambassador for Temple University":
JoAnne Epps was a powerful force and constant ambassador for Temple University for nearly four decades. Losing her is heartbreaking for Philadelphia.
Lori and I are holding JoAnne’s loved ones in our hearts right now. May her memory be a blessing.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) September 19, 2023
The university did not detail the exact cause of Epps' death. According to a doctor at the university, Epps suffered a "sudden episode" that caused her death. The university's board will meet this Wednesday to name a new interim president, according to Temple Senior Vice President and Provost Gregory Mandel .
