PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — There was a tremendous outpour of love and support along with a heavy feeling of loss at Temple University Wednesday as those who knew and loved JoAnne Epps gathered at the Bell Tower, remembering her as an unwavering and steady voice of reason and a champion for the success of her students.
"That says so much about JoAnne — even in her passing she brought all of us together in love and common purpose," said former Temple University President Richard Englert.
Epps, who served the Temple community for nearly 40 years as a teacher, dean, provost and acting president, collapsed during a memorial service for Charles L. Blockson Tuesday. She was transported to Temple University Hospital for treatment, where she died shortly after 3 p.m.
Reflecting on her memory of Epps, Temple alumna Dr. Germaine Edwards says she may have been small in stature, but she carried a big stick.
"And as a student, you just knew she cared, and if you had an issue with a grievance, a problem, or a concern, if it couldn't be resolved through normal channels, you know you had an outlier — at least someone who would advocate at the upper echelon."
David Brown, assistant dean for community and communications at Temple left everyone at the service with this final thought.
"Remember this day. Remember this person. Follow that legacy as you create your own, and as a community, we will continue to lift each other up."
The university is planning a memorial at some point in the near future.