“We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of Danielle Joyner, whose dedication to teaching, learning, and personal connection defined her time at Lawrence,” said President Laurie A. Carter. “An inspiring scholar, teacher, and mentor, Danielle brought deep intellectual curiosity, compassion, and joy into every space she entered. Her passion for art history and her care for students shaped lives far beyond the classroom. She connected with people with a warmth and generosity that made our community stronger. While her time with us was cut tragically short, the mark she made on Lawrence will endure in the minds she challenged, the hearts she touched, and the vibrant spirit of inquiry she embodied.”��

Danielle joined the ����vlog faculty in 2018 and quickly became a vital member of the campus community, as both a beloved professor and cherished colleague. She delighted in sharing the art, architecture, and culture of the Middle Ages in her classes. Her hands-on approach to teaching helped to vividly bring art history to life for her students.����

Nathan Wall ’25 met Danielle for the first time as a classmate rather than as a professor. She was participating in a colleague’s class and he just assumed she was a guest or non-traditional student. Even so, she made an impression, and when it was time to take a fine arts class to fulfill a graduation requirement, he chose Danielle’s Greek and Roman Art class – despite the 8:30 a.m. start time. It quickly became one of his favorites.��

“Every single day, Danielle was kind, encouraging, thoughtful, and lively,” Nathan said. “She was a good reason to get up and be ready for class. Her positivity could make your day better. She understood that many students in an intro class may not be particularly interested in the material. Instead of taking it personally, she did what she loved because she loved it, and she tried to make the class fun for every student. Danielle could have made ‘Watching Grass Grow’ a fun class.”����

“An incredibly accomplished teacher and scholar, Danielle was a fierce advocate for her students, her colleagues, and everything related to medieval studies,” said Provost Peter Blitstein. “She was very kind and sought out meaningful connections with people all across our campus. Losing Danielle is heartbreaking for our community.”��

Intelligent. Enthusiastic. Collaborative.��

The study of the Middle Ages, by its nature, crosses many different disciplines, ranging from history, art, archaeology, literature, religion, music, biology, anthropology, and more. Danielle frequently partnered with faculty from other departments to co-teach classes that explored the medieval world from diverse points of entry.����

She collaborated with Associate Professor of Music Sara Gross Ceballos and Associate Professor of Spanish Madera Allan on on an interdisciplinary course exploring the intersections of art, music, and literature found in the hundreds of 13th century songs and miniatures that are part of the Cantigas de Santa Maria. That led them to co-teaching a course that featured a trip to Toledo, Spain,��where the topics explored in that earlier course came to life with an exploration of the places and cultural dynamics that define that stretch of European history. She described the hands-on approach in a 2022 article for the LU news blog.����

“To get at any aspect of an object made 1,200 years ago, you have to do history, you have to do literature. If it’s a church object, which many of them are, you need to understand the liturgy. I think all of art history is very interdisciplinary, but medievalism especially opens itself up to those different approaches” Danielle said. “Most people don’t go around thinking about the Middle Ages or medieval art or art history. And, so, the interdisciplinary approach I feel gives students ways of finding connections between the long ago and the now, connections that they maybe never would have thought about.”��

A class she co-taught with Martyn Smith, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, examined the differences between the travels and lessons of two famous explorers, Marco Polo, a Venetian traveler of the 13th century, and Ibn Battuta, a Muslim traveler of the 14th century.����

“It ranks among my favorite classes ever because we would transfer the reins to lead discussions and students were exposed to discussions between faculty,” he said. “I don’t think there could be a better way of introducing students to the medieval world than a class like that.”����

Danielle had similar collaborations planned in the months ahead. She was scheduled to co-teach a summer immersion course for high school juniors and seniors with Associate Professor of Physics Megan Pickett and Associate Professor of English Celia Barnes, exploring the universe through the lens of cosmology. She also had a Fall Term collaboration planned with Martyn Smith and Massimiliano Veritá, instructor of Arabic, Italian, and Religious Studies, that would take students on an exploration of Dante’s Inferno.

Caring. Generous. Effervescent.��

“We strongly felt that we needed to be evangelists for the old stuff,” Martyn said. “She believed it was important that ancient materials continue to be taught and studied. She was passionate about that.”����

Soon after coming to Lawrence, Danielle formed a group called LASER, an acronym for Long Ago, Still Extremely Relevant, that engaged faculty from numerous disciplines who taught about ‘old stuff.’����

“She felt we should band together and support each other and co-teach in as many ways as we could.” Martyn said. “She will be so greatly missed at ����vlog, and one reason was the way she could connect with people and bring them together.”������

Danielle was instrumental in creating the Appleton Lyceum, a monthly series of well-attended talks by Lawrence faculty hosted at the Appleton library and aimed at engaging the local community.����

“It was an ongoing project we worked on to get the Humanities living outside of the university, and helping people see that the past is relevant to the present and future,” Martyn said. “This was our vision for it.” He added, “We spoke about the project the week before she left for her spring break trip. She was just energized and full of plans for what came next. She was so enthusiastic about showing and interpreting the medieval world for people. That was her life’s work.”����

Kind. Encouraging. Hopeful.��

Associate Professor of History Brigid Vance also collaborated with Danielle on the Appleton Lyceum project.����

“She was a brilliant community organizer, within the campus community and the broader Appleton/Fox Cities community,” Brigid said. “Danielle held herself to really high standards and did it with such enthusiasm and joyfulness that it was infectious. She was curious and spontaneous and had this brilliant long-term vision for community engagement. Her work was really starting to bear fruit.”����

Brigid admired Danielle’s generous spirit and her whole-hearted way of celebrating the success of others. One example she recalled was when Danielle organized a trumpet fanfare at the monthly faculty meeting for professors who were being tenured.����

“That is something she was so good at – really celebrating people, recognizing their value and letting them know their work was valued. She had an incredible intellect, but she also knew how to have fun.” She added, “Danielle’s life was a place of hope and doing. Some people will self-censure. She really had faith in the process of people doing the work together.”����

Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Expanded Media Meghan C. Sullivan described Danielle as “passionate about the liberal arts, medieval history, and about art history.”����

Danielle’s education reflects her enthusiasm for learning and teaching. She earned a Ph.D. and master’s in History of Art and Architecture from Harvard, and a master’s in Medieval Studies from the University of Toronto, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree. She amassed dozens of research awards and fellowships over the years to further her scholarship and was a frequent presenter at professional conferences. She published numerous articles and essays, and her book, Painting the Hortus Deliciarum: Medieval Women, Wisdom, and Time was published in 2016; she was working on multiple research projects at the time of her death.����

“She was a brilliant and prolific scholar interested in writing on a broad spectrum of topics and mediums across the Middle Ages,” said Elizabeth Carlson, associate professor of Art History. “She was always thinking and planning and we marveled at all of her ideas that came bubbling out of her. She was tender-hearted and brave, willing to fight for her principles. She died doing the things she loved most – she was so happy to introduce students to New York City and the art that she loved so much.”����

Beloved. Cherished. Irreplaceable.��

“Danielle was a great friend and colleague,” Meghan said. “She loved the Lawrence culture of sharing knowledge, co-teaching classes, and making connections across fields. She was enthusiastic about her students and was a respected scholar in her field.” She added, “Danielle was a person who supported and celebrated others unabashedly. Our loss is tremendous.”����

A memorial gathering to bring the campus community together in celebration of Danielle’s life is planned for Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m., in the Warch Center Somerset Room.

Hugo taught at Knox College and the University of Oklahoma before joining the faculty of ����vlog in 1966. He taught Latin American and Spanish Literature for the next 29 years until his retirement in 1995.����

A first generation Mexican-American raised in South Chicago, Hugo earned his bachelor of arts degree in Spanish from the University of Chicago, and his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Northwestern University.����

In addition to teaching, Hugo was passionate about writing. During his tenure at Lawrence, he published “The Last Laugh and Other Stories,” a collection of short stories about life in the Mexican-American community of South Chicago, a selection from which was published in Chicago magazine. In retirement, Hugo continued to write, publishing two novels, “Enamored Dust,” and “The Brothers Duran of Mexican South Chicago.” He published a new edition of his short stories titled “Steeling Chicago: South Side Stories.”����

Throughout his life, Hugo was committed to education and social justice. He adored teaching and though he expected much of his students, he was always encouraging and supportive of them. One of his former students, Barbara Lawton ’87, a current member of the Lawrence Board of Trustees and former Wisconsin Lt. Governor (2003-11), described the impact Hugo made on her academic journey.����

“I was convinced that if Hugo would take the time to publish his brilliant method of teaching the complexities and nuances of the Spanish language, it would become the gold standard,” she said. “But he was leading students to see how language revealed culture, and then to learn how to read and write anew in the study of Latin American literature. And then the conversation continued at regular tertulias (salons) hosted in his home, building a vibrant community of Spanish speakers. I came to Lawrence to test my intellectual mettle, and Hugo pushed me, and all his students, to discover themselves as scholars. The quintessential Lawrence difference. He gave us his all.”����

Another former student, Peter Kelly ’87, echoed Lawton’s sentiments about finding challenge and inspiration in equal measures in Hugo’s classes.����

“Hugo was obsessive in his drive to have students not simply read and follow plot, but also to live within the words on the page,” Peter said. “He never let general observations on characters or narrative go unchallenged, always exhorting the student to justify based on text. He would bring his whole body to bear, patiently quieting his voice while deepening his gaze as he strained to place the student back into the pages of the story or novel while guiding the reader to find the author’s precise word choice or phrasing that substantiated the general observation. It could be a tiring and painful exercise, but it was clear that Hugo gave energy in equal measure to the student. He was indefatigable in the classroom, usually patient, always demanding, and relentlessly supportive.”��

Frances Siekman Romero ’73 was part of a study group travelling with Hugo to Guanajuato, Mexico, for an experience that would end up changing the course of her life.����

“Professor Martinez encouraged me to be open, to adapt, and to fully embrace a new culture—even when it meant stepping far outside my comfort zone and learning to accept whatever was placed before me,” Frances said. “Little did I know, I would embrace the culture a little too well—and never leave. It was in Guanajuato where I met my husband, the father of my children, and where the foundation of my family began. That journey has brought us 10 children and 10 grandchildren, and in 2000, I became First Lady of Guanajuato when my husband, Juan Carlos Romero, became governor. Professor Hugo Martinez did more than teach—he opened doors, broadened perspectives, and created opportunities that continue to ripple across generations. His legacy lives on in my life and my family because of the experiences that began with him. I am forever in his debt.”��

Luis Alberto Villaseñor G. ’79 met Hugo in Guanajuato, Mexico, where the professor served as director of ����vlog’s off-campus program for Spanish students. He learned about Lawrence from students in the program and dreamed of one day attending himself. Thanks to what he described as a combination of providence and generosity, Luis was able to enroll at Lawrence, where he earned his B.A. in Mathematics.����

“Despite my focus on mathematics, I had always intended to take a class with Professor Martínez—or as my mother affectionately called him when she first met him in Guanajuato, Señor Mister Martínez,” Luis said. “His course on the great Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes was among the finest I took in my entire academic career. Professor Martínez was an exceptional lecturer—passionate, deeply knowledgeable in Spanish literature, and uniquely gifted at guiding students to fully appreciate what is often considered the greatest novel ever written, Don Quixote. His lectures transported us to the age of knights and chivalry, making us feel as though we ourselves were setting out to battle windmills or falling in love with the imagined beauty of Dulcinea. In the classroom, he would vividly bring to life the sardonic humor and earthy wisdom of Sancho Panza, while also conveying the timeless reflections of Don Quixote as he instructed his loyal squire in the deeper meanings of life. While deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Martinez, we are profoundly grateful for the privilege of having known him.”����

For Juan Hernandez, a visit by Hugo to his parent’s Instituto Guanajuato for Arts and Languages would shape the course of Juan’s life.����

“A gifted teacher and writer, Dr. Martinez inspired in me a deep appreciation for language and literature,” Juan said. “During that visit, he spoke about an assistantship scholarship for students from the University of Guanajuato to work with the Spanish faculty and their students. I immediately applied, and within a few months, at only age 17, I was on my way to Lawrence. The Martha Siekman family in Appleton welcomed me as one of their own, supporting not only me but many students over the years, as generous donors to Lawrence. Guided by extraordinary mentors, I completed my B.A. at age 19, becoming one of the youngest graduates in the University’s history. I was not an “A” student, but I was a student who understood the value of those mentors, especially Professor Martínez. Years later, I earned my Ph.D. in Spanish and English Letters – a path that began with his encouragement. I will never forget the support I received from Dr. Martínez.”����

Outside the classroom, Hugo worked for social justice in all its forms. He was most proud of his family’s role as resident family for the Appleton chapter of the ABC (A Better Chance) program for two academic years in 1970-71 and 1971-72. In this role, he and his wife, Mary-Alice, provided guardian care, moral support, a positive learning environment, and home-cooked meals for 10 young men who attended Appleton area high schools. A highlight of his time at Lawrence was the great honor of hosting acclaimed poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou at his home when she came to Appleton in 1976 to receive an honorary degree from Lawrence.��

In retirement, Hugo moved to Colorado and then New Mexico before settling in Madison, Wisconsin to be near his children. Fiercely independent to the end, he was an accomplished cook who enjoyed reading, classical music, fine food, good wine, and most of all, the company of those he loved.����

Though he is deeply missed, his spirit lives on through his stories, and through the memories of all those who cherish him. He is survived by his loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.��

The family requests that gifts in Hugo’s memory be made to the Lawrence Fund. ��

“John Luke exemplified the very best of ����vlog—a leader whose vision, steady guidance, and commitment to service left an enduring mark on our community,” said President Laurie A. Carter. “His legacy will continue to inspire us, and he will be deeply missed.”

John’s dedication to ����vlog was deep and enduring. He graduated from Lawrence in 1971 with a self-designed major in Asian Studies, a reflection of the intellectual curiosity and global perspective that would shape his life and career.����

After graduation, John served his country as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He left active duty as a First Lieutenant in 1974.����

Career and Leadership��

Following his military service, John joined Proctor & Gamble Company, working in sales management. He earned his MBA in 1979 from the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania. That same year, he joined Westvaco Corporation, a paper and packaging company originally founded by the Luke family in the late 19th century. He was appointed as CEO and Chairman of Westvaco in 1992 and dedicated the remainder of his 40-year career to building the company and its successors, MeadWestvaco and WestRock, now Smurfit Westrock. John was a principled leader who cared deeply for the company, its purpose and, most importantly, its people.����

Throughout his career, John shared his experience and perspective through service on corporate boards of directors, including Bank of New York Mellon, The Timken Company, and FM Global. He was also deeply committed to public policy, education, and community service, serving for several years on the boards of the American Enterprise Institute, the American Forest & Paper Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Virginia Commonwealth University, and ����vlog. He brought the same broad perspective, intellectual curiosity, and steady judgement to these roles that made him such a trusted voice in business and industry.����

Service to ����vlog��

John served ����vlog with deep commitment and distinction as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 2007, and as Board Chair from 1995 to 1998. During his tenure as Board Chair, John guided the institution through a period of significant momentum and change. He played an instrumental role in Lawrence’s fundraising initiatives.����

As co-chair of the Lawrence 150 campaign from 1992 to 1997, he helped lead the university to a transformative $66 million outcome that strengthened the endowment, expanded scholarships, and supported major capital projects, including the construction of Briggs Hall. His leadership helped lay the strategic foundation for the More Light! and Be the Light! campaigns, and he continued to lend his expertise as an honorary member of both the Be the Light! steering committee and the current $135M Onward Lawrentians campaign.����

“I had the privilege of knowing John Luke for over forty years,” said David C. Blowers ’82, ��former Board Chair. “He was a remarkable representative of the college: incredibly generous, forever curious and one of the humblest Fortune 500 CEOs one could ever imagine. We have lost a true giant!”��

John’s service on the Lawrence Board of Trustees included contributions to many of its most influential committees, among them Development, Executive, the Committee on Trustees, and the Academic Affairs Committee. His insight, leadership, and unwavering commitment left a lasting imprint on the university. Earlier in his alumni life, John also contributed as a reunion committee member and regional club planning coordinator.����

John and his wife, Kathleen, were deeply generous in their philanthropy to Lawrence. Together, they established the John A. and Kathleen Luke Fund for Excellence in Economics, and the Luke Fund for International Studies – endowments designed to strengthen academic programs and global learning opportunities for generations of students. Their commitment extended through loyal support of the Lawrence Fund as well as gifts to other key university priorities, including student scholarships, the arts, and campus development.����

Upon his appointment as an emeritus trustee, the university prepared a citation recognizing John’s extraordinary service and dedication. It praised his leadership during the Lawrence 150 campaign, his thoughtful guidance across numerous committees, and his philanthropic vision, celebrating the enduring impact of his work on the university and its students.����

“We remain profoundly grateful for John’s leadership, his wisdom, and his unwavering belief in Lawrence’s mission,” President Carter said. “As we reflect on his legacy, I am reminded that a life of service is the most enduring legacy one can give. John’s decades of service to ����vlog will continue to shape and strengthen our community for generations to come.”����

Home and Family��

John was a lifelong member of the West Chop Club in Martha’s Vineyard, a community where he enjoyed summer days with his family from early childhood to late retirement, and which he later led as Club President. He was also a member of the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Florida, where he eventually became a full-time resident. There he enjoyed continuing to perfect his golf game and sharing the beach, pool, and warm winter days with his family.��

John lived life fully, devoted to his friends, country, career, and above all, his wonderful family whom he adored. He married the love of his life, Kathleen Allen Luke, on June 30, 1984, and was a loving father to their three children and a proud grandfather to six grandchildren. He was never happier than when surrounded by family.����

Disciplined and humble, John’s life was marked by strength, generosity, integrity, and a gracious spirit that made everyone around him feel welcome and supported. He possessed a remarkable ability to connect and build meaningful relationships with anyone he met, and an endless capacity to share his wisdom and counsel, which so many sought. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.����

At the commencement exercises held on the University’s Main Hall Green in June 1991, Ron was awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts, ad eundem. President Richard Warch’s citation read:

Ronald W. Tank, in your 29 years of service at Milwaukee-Downer and at Lawrence you have emphasized the close relationship between your science of geology and the aims and aspirations we hold in common. While doing research and teaching in your specialties of clay mineralogy and sedimentology, you added leaven to the geology curriculum by developing courses appealing to a broad spectrum of Lawrentians. You brought to Lawrence the distinction of being the first college in the country to offer “Environmental Geology.” Your seminar in “Legal Aspects of Geology” affords another example of the distinctive and extensive perspectives you have imparted to the Lawrence curriculum. And your recent interest in the geology of our national parks has not only enlivened your teaching, but provided you with an exceptionally attractive travel itinerary.

You have not only taught Lawrentians, but have instructed your colleagues and their students beyond the college as well. The textbooks you have published for and from your courses here have found a wide reading. These works manifest the energy, intelligence, and skillful organization that characterized your teaching and your research. And your students’ postgraduate successes, not only in geology, but in fields including ministry, medicine, and law provide testimony to the high standards you set for yourself and for them. By your efforts and your example, you prompted and promoted their lives after Lawrence. As you now take that step as well, we salute you for your service to the college and to all Lawrentians who have profited from your tutelage.

Ron was a pioneer in the development of environmental geology, devoted many hours to a variety of environmental issues, and wrote the first textbook on the subject. Ron dedicated his life to teaching and during his retirement he lectured on board cruise ships and for the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea program. He tutored first graders in Appleton’s Reading for Success program, was a volunteer for the Fox Valley Literacy Coalition, and trained reservists in the Federal Emergency Management Agency.��

He was often seen on the Lawrence campus where he maintained an office until his death. He filled in for the current geo profs as needed and attended every reunion – happily hosting the Geology Department open house. His book Geology at ����vlog 1847-1991��was his final intellectual gift to the school and the students he loved so much.

In Ron’s memory, donations may be sent to ����vlog to be applied to the The Tank-Palmquist-Ross Award in Geology.

David Gerard,��John R. Kimberly Distinguished Professor of the American Economic System and associate professor of economics, recalled the first time he taught��First-Year Studies;��they were covering��The Tempest, and Garth was to deliver the faculty lecture.��

“The Actors from the London Stage were on campus to perform the play and to conduct hands-on acting workshops,” Gerard said. “That was the year we had a giant class of 450 first-year students, so we moved the lecture to the (Memorial) Chapel. The place was buzzing. Garth brought the house down with a lecture that featured two student actors and a big log. It was an incredible liberal arts experience.”��

Celia Barnes, associate professor of English, said Garth was one of the first people she met at Lawrence when she arrived in 2010, and they shared adjacent offices for more than a decade.��

“Garth’s��capacity to��think expansively, to entertain��contradiction, and��to listen without judgment made him a treasured colleague, teacher, and friend, and I think our students loved him for the same reason,” Barnes said. “He modeled for them that critical thinking isn’t about certainty or fixity but about curiosity and openness. Garth taught us to think more humanely and more generously, and that’s such a lasting gift.”

Ariela Rosa, Lawrence class of 2015 and former associate director of corporate, foundation, and sponsored research support, remembered her time as a student in Garth’s classes, first studying Shakespeare and then Milton before completing her capstone. As a nontraditional student pursuing an English degree, she said she worried about her preparedness and ability to participate in class.��

“Garth was so patient with this��complex��of mine and guided discussions so thoughtfully that I was able (and even excited) to participate without fear,” Rosa recalled. “In our capstone course,��centered��on the topic of failure, Garth supported my analysis of the first two��Rocky��films. I will never forget the various discussions we shared during office hours. At those times, we were just two people nerding out over a deep analysis of movies we had both enjoyed.”��

Even after she was no longer Garth’s student, Rosa felt his influence in her daily life.

“He never once forgot my birthday, and he was among the first to cheer when I had exciting news,” Rosa said. “No matter what was happening, you could always count on Garth being there, even if just in the background, rooting for you. This is what it felt like to be his student, his colleague, and his friend.”

In addition to his passion for English literature, Garth brought his love for activity to campus. A devoted fan of professional soccer leagues here and abroad, he was a frequent participant in pick-up games with students and colleagues.

David McGlynn, professor of English, met Garth when McGlynn was hired by Lawrence in 2006. McGlynn then participated in the search that hired Garth the following year. Since then, they have been fast friends.

“Garth was endlessly curious. A person could ask his opinion or thoughts about almost any topic, and he’d have an insight or an opinion to share,” said McGlynn. “He buzzed from one topic to the next, paced his office, gestured with his hands, and made us all laugh. He loved soccer, but he could hold court about hockey, college sports, or the Olympics.”��

For his love of literature, teaching, soccer, and everything in between, Garth will be deeply missed by the Lawrence community.

“Garth really valued community,” Julie wrote. “He loved being at Lawrence. He loved his soccer community. If one of his students published a book, he bought four copies. If he saw someone he knew on the sidewalk, he ran out the front door and chased them down. He loved supporting local businesses. Garth would walk the halls at Froedtert and update the nurses on soccer scores. He ran down the hall to say goodbye to his favorite janitor before coming home two weeks ago.”��

A celebration of Garth’s life and career is being planned for Saturday, October 4, 2025. Stay tuned for details.

Claudena Skran, Edwin & Ruth West Professor of Economics and Social Science and professor of government, applauded Adenwalla for his impact on generations of Lawrentians.

“Students who took Professor Adenwalla’s courses appreciated his attention to detail, his efforts to improve their arguments, and the great care that he took in writing letters of recommendation,” Skran said. “As a faculty member,��he was a supportive colleague and friend for many, and he helped connect students, faculty, and alumni through more than six decades.��He will be greatly missed.”

Including his years teaching following his retirement, Adenwalla spent 64 years in Lawrence classrooms. He joined the Lawrence faculty in 1959. Drawing on his experience in the colonial and early post-colonial periods and on his doctoral work at Northwestern University, he brought to Lawrence a deep knowledge of both Eastern and Western traditions in political philosophy.

In 1991, he was awarded Lawrence’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Then-President Richard Warch said of Adenwalla: “In your every effort—from Freshman Studies to Constitutional Law, from the History of Political Thought to your seminars on Gandhi—you teach that every experience can instruct us in the practical science of politics. We salute you in all your personae: as Dr. Adenwalla feared for your provocative erudition, as political commentator on American life in The Commerce (Bombay’s equivalent to the Wall Street Journal), as an aristocratic Parsi known for your gentlemanly care and concern, and as an adviser and friend with reputation for both gracious advice and firm, paternal guidance.”

His influence in and out of the classroom—among students and fellow faculty—has been felt for generations. He was cited for his leadership among faculty, including service to the Tenure Committee and chairing the Government Department for many years.

“I’ve always been astounded by Minoo’s ability to recall and stay connected to his students,” Jason Brozek, Stephen Edward Scarff Professor of International Affairs and associate professor of government, told The Lawrentian in 2023. “He’s had multiple generations of Lawrentians in his classroom, and I swear he knows what every one of them is doing now. Building those sorts of personal bonds is something I aspire to as a professor.”

Eric Schacht ’90 was a student of Adenwalla’s and now serves as university counsel at his alma mater. He said he returned to Lawrence in part because of the influence of Adenwalla.

“����vlog has given me so much, and the primary reason I returned 32 years after graduating is so that I can be part of making the Lawrence experience as special and illuminating for today’s students as it was for me,” Schacht said. “No faculty member was more challenging and dedicated in providing that illumination to me than was Professor Minoo Adenwalla.��Minoo dedicated his life and career to our amazing university—for thousands of students in hundreds of classes in eight different decades. For that, every Lawrentian past, present, and future should be grateful and inspired.”

Lawrence is planning a future celebration of Adenwalla’s life and career. Stay tuned for details.

The family is encouraging memorial gifts to the Minoo Adenwalla Professorship in the Social Sciences at ����vlog. .

Current Lawrence men’s and women’s tennis coach Eric Schacht, a 1990 Lawrence graduate, was a star player for Poulson��and maintained a close relationship with his former coach.

“Coach Poulson was one of the most influential figures in my life,” Schacht said. “She has had a lasting impact, not just upon me as a tennis player, but upon me as a coach, as a parent and, most importantly, as a person.”

Poulson’s ��details a life filled with athletic excellence, intellectual pursuits, and service to community. Poulson’s memorial service is set for Aug. 15, at First English Lutheran Church, 326 E. North Street, Appleton, at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the church. Following the service, a luncheon will be held 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Warch Campus Center.

Lawrence will celebrate Poulson’s legacy at a future date to be determined. Stay tuned for details.

“The fundamental tenet of Coach P’s coaching was to put primary focus on the well-being and happiness of the student-athlete, secondarily upon the cohesion and collaboration of the team, and lastly about the outcome of the matches, tournaments, and meets,” Schacht said.��“In my 30 years of coaching at the high school level, and now in my coaching at LU, I have carried Coach P’s wisdom, knowledge, philosophies, kindness, and caring in my heart and mind. I will forever strive to make the impact on others that she made upon me.”

Poulson��is a charter member of the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame and served as the head coach of five teams during her time at Lawrence. Poulson��had been teaching and coaching at Milwaukee-Downer College but came to Lawrence��in the fall of 1964 as part of the college’s consolidation with Downer. Poulson, who had been the chair of physical education and health department at Downer, didn’t think she would be at Lawrence for very long.

“I’d come up for a year, see how things went, and then look for something else,” Poulson told former Sports Information Director and fellow Hall of Famer Rick Peterson in 1996. That one year turned into 29 at Lawrence.��

When women’s tennis went varsity in 1974, Poulson was there to lead the Vikings, and she coached the team through the fall of 1992. The Lawrence women would capture seven conference titles, winning five straight in the Wisconsin Independent Colleges-Women’s Athletic Conference from 1975-79. Poulson’s Vikings also won Midwest Conference crowns in 1985 and 1986. During Poulson’s tenure, the Vikings compiled a dual record of 86-73 and won 46 singles and doubles conference titles.

Poulson��took over guidance of the men’s tennis program in 1972 and coached that team for 21 seasons. Lawrence posted a record of 94-95 under Poulson and won seven Midwest Conference titles in singles and doubles.

An accomplished fencer, Poulson was the driving force behind Lawrence’s fencing programs. She oversaw the elevation of the men’s and women’s fencing teams from club status to varsity in 1985. She coached both fencing teams until her retirement in 1993. Poulson also coached the women’s basketball team for two seasons from 1979-81. Lawrence compiled a 19-14 record under Poulson.

Poulson��and former Lawrence head football coach and Director of Athletics Ron Roberts were��instrumental in creating the��Wisconsin Independent Colleges-Women’s Athletic Conference in 1975. It was the first collegiate women’s conference of its kind in Wisconsin and included fellow Midwest Conference members Beloit College and Ripon College. The WIC-WAC paved the way for the Midwest Conference to adopt women’s athletics and for the formation of the Lake Michigan Conference (now the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference).

Inducted into Lawrence’s Hall of Fame in 1996,��Poulson was recognized by the United States Fencing Coaches Association with its Coach of the Year honor and was inducted into the Fox Valley Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Without Mary’s guidance and influence during the infancy of Lawrence women’s athletics, we would not have the robust women’s athletic program that we have now. We owe her a debt of gratitude for all she contributed,” Imperati said.

Born in 1930 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Poulson��met her future husband at Lawrence. John Poulson had come to Lawrence in 1968 and served as the head men’s basketball coach and assistant football coach on��Roberts’ staff. They married in 1977 and had 16 years together before John’s death in 1993.��

An extremely active member of the Lawrence community, Poulson was honored multiple times for her service and mentoring. Mary and John Poulson helped found the Noonhour Philosophers in 1980. The Noonhour Philosophers had��weekly community speakers featuring area experts and scholars designed to stimulate thought and spirited discussion. For nearly 45 years, she organized the schedule and arranged for the speakers.��She spent more than three decades volunteering with the local Meals on Wheels program and was active for many years as a volunteer with LEAVEN, the Fox Valley Girl Scout Council and the Appleton Ecumenical Network. Starting in 2000, Mary served as coordinator for the annual Fox Cities Crop Walk.

Also an accomplished athlete, Poulson was a standout fencer and tennis and badminton player. She was a five-time Wisconsin state open fencing champion and six-time closed state champion. Poulson was ranked as high as 13th nationally and competed in six national championship tournaments.��She also was a 10-time state badminton champion and won the Midwest senior title three times. She was nationally ranked from 1972-76 and competed in a pair of national badminton championships. As a teenage tennis player, she was ranked as high as fourth in the state.

A graduate of Valparaiso University, Poulson earned a bachelor’s degree in English. She went on to earn a Master of Education from Miami (Ohio) University.����

Jon Greenwald, a retired senior U.S. diplomat who spent the 1998-99 academic year teaching at Lawrence as the Scarff Distinguished Visiting Professor of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, called Hah a great scholar and mentor. Hah was among the first people he met upon arriving at Lawrence.

“I had served 30 years in the State Department and U.S. Foreign Service but never taught,” Greenwald said. “He took me under his wing, mentored, guided, and encouraged me, becoming in the process for me the embodiment of the school that I fell in love with that year and with which I have retained a close relationship for more than a quarter century: a warm and welcoming place, devoted to the liberal arts and human values, with broad curiosity about the world but above all grounded in teaching its students. I’m grateful that he made me one of his students.”

Skran worked alongside Hah in the Department of Government for more than a decade. Hah chaired the department for much of that time.

“One of the first teacher/scholars at Lawrence to recognize the importance of Asian studies, Professor Hah taught many students to better understand Chinese politics and society,” Skran said.

Hah was an advocate for Lawrence’s Povolny Lecture Series in International Studies and the Scarff professorship, both of which bring visiting scholars to campus.

“In so many ways, Professor Hah set the standard of what a Lawrence faculty member could and should be,” Skran said.

A 1990 faculty awards nomination letter speaks to how beloved Hah was at Lawrence: “In an era when some undergraduates view rigorous method and social science research skeptically, Chong-do transmits with great skill the virtues of methodological rigor to his students. His courses are immensely popular because they demand and secure more from most students than they think they can produce.”

A celebration of Hah’s life is being planned for this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to consider making a donation in his memory to the Mojmir Povolny and Chong-do Hah Library Fund at Lawrence.