There's nothing more wonderful than getting an opportunity to serve your passions. That passion, Harper said yesterday, is relating to students, something she has continually worked at during her time at the University. Harper was appointed interim vice president in April 1999 after serving as associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students since 1991.
Harper is the first black woman to hold the post.
She has outstanding character and a very important grasp of the complexities of life. Because two of the candidates dropped out of the race before the selection process was completed, Harper and Schroeder were the remaining finalists. In September, Ford, a University alum, accepted the position of vice president and dean of Emory University in Georgia. Although he would not specify why he chose to remain at University of Massachusetts, Cevallos extended congratulations to Harper. Jerry Mangona, vice president of Public Relations for the Interfraternity Council, said he was pleased to hear Harper's will maintain the position officially.