Tufts Mourns the Loss of Gerald Gill

July 27, 2007

Dear Colleagues,

This is a sad day as we learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Gerald Gill. Gerald was found in his apartment in Cambridge last night by a friend. We do not yet know the cause of death. We have just reached his daughter who lives in Mississippi. We are providing his family with as much assistance as we can in this time of sorrow.

Tufts loved Gerald and Gerald loved Tufts. Few faculty members have had as large an influence on generations of students as Gerald. He was a master teacher and a gifted scholar. His scholarly work was broad and deep, focusing on race relations in Boston, African-American opposition to the wars of the twentieth century, and the history of African-Americans at Tufts. Like the good historian he was, Gerald helped us understand Tufts and its history in ways that many had not appreciated before. Twice voted the Massachusetts Professor of the Year, Gerald was the consummate teacher, always gently challenging and encouraging students to see the world in new and different ways. He was a fabulous and much sought after faculty adviser, the very first recipient of the Lerman-Neubauer Prize for Outstanding Teaching and Advising. His many other awards included the Arts and Sciences Multicultural Service Award, the Allan Cormack Award for Outstanding Achievement in Collaborative Research, and the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Tufts Community from the Africana Center, subsequently named the Gerald R. Gill Distinguished Service Award.

No award can do justice to the many contributions Gerald made to Tufts. Thoughtful, soft spoken, and incredibly generous with his time, Gerald was a wonderful friend and colleague. He was a constant presence on this campus since he first arrived in 1980. He always pushed Tufts to be a better place, a more inclusive place, one that is welcoming to all. For many of us it is difficult to imagine Tufts without him.

The news of Gerald's death is still very fresh. Neither funeral nor memorial service arrangements have yet been made. More details will be forthcoming.

To all of Gerald's family, friends, and colleagues we extend our heartfelt condolences.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Bacow
Jamshed Bharucha
Robert Sternberg
Andrew McClellan
Virginia Drachman
Lisa Coleman

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	v 2007 Memos > Executive Director of Institutional Diversity Appointed > Message from President Bacow > Tragedy at Virginia Tech > Islam and The Primary Source > Executive Vice President Appointed > Tufts Mourns the Loss of Gerald Gill > Freedom of Expression at Tufts > Recent Gifts from Steven and Michael Jaharis and Steve Tisch > Summer News and Updates > Holiday Bonus Days > 2008 President's Marathon Challenge > Update on Tufts' Emergency Alert System	Home » Community Memos » 2007 Memos » Tufts Mourns the Loss of Gerald Gill Tufts Mourns the Loss of Gerald Gill July 27, 2007 Dear Colleagues, This is a sad day as we learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Gerald Gill. Gerald was found in his apartment in Cambridge last night by a friend. We do not yet know the cause of death. We have just reached his daughter who lives in Mississippi. We are providing his family with as much assistance as we can in this time of sorrow. Tufts loved Gerald and Gerald loved Tufts. Few faculty members have had as large an influence on generations of students as Gerald. He was a master teacher and a gifted scholar. His scholarly work was broad and deep, focusing on race relations in Boston, African-American opposition to the wars of the twentieth century, and the history of African-Americans at Tufts. Like the good historian he was, Gerald helped us understand Tufts and its history in ways that many had not appreciated before. Twice voted the Massachusetts Professor of the Year, Gerald was the consummate teacher, always gently challenging and encouraging students to see the world in new and different ways. He was a fabulous and much sought after faculty adviser, the very first recipient of the Lerman-Neubauer Prize for Outstanding Teaching and Advising. His many other awards included the Arts and Sciences Multicultural Service Award, the Allan Cormack Award for Outstanding Achievement in Collaborative Research, and the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Tufts Community from the Africana Center, subsequently named the Gerald R. Gill Distinguished Service Award. No award can do justice to the many contributions Gerald made to Tufts. Thoughtful, soft spoken, and incredibly generous with his time, Gerald was a wonderful friend and colleague. He was a constant presence on this campus since he first arrived in 1980. He always pushed Tufts to be a better place, a more inclusive place, one that is welcoming to all. For many of us it is difficult to imagine Tufts without him. The news of Gerald's death is still very fresh. Neither funeral nor memorial service arrangements have yet been made. More details will be forthcoming. To all of Gerald's family, friends, and colleagues we extend our heartfelt condolences. Sincerely, Lawrence Bacow Jamshed Bharucha Robert Sternberg Andrew McClellan Virginia Drachman Lisa Coleman
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