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In Memoriam:
Professor Katherine Terrell
It is with extreme sadness that we announce the death of Professor Katherine Terrell on Tuesday, December 29th, in the Dominican Republic.
Professor Terrell was a great friend and colleague to so many of us at the Ross and Ford Schools at Michigan, and many others at Michigan and around the world. Our goal with this page is to create a lasting memory of the ways in which she affected the lives of all those who knew her.
If you have a memory or story about Katherine that you would like to share, please send them to strickla@umich.edu and we will post them on this webpage.
Ross School Remembrance
Ford School Remembrance
Kathy
Terrell's Homepage
Also, an endowment fund, The Kathy Terrell Endowment Fund for
International Education, is being established. Contributions can be made to
the fund at:
The University of Michigan
735 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
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Professor Katherine Terrell
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 Kathy with
her BBA students on the 2009 CIBE summer program in San Jose, Costa
Rica.
Pictures taken by Kelsey Brunette, BBA Junior
 
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Kathy and I
were not particularly close personally, nor did we always see eye to
eye. But we were comrades and always on the same side. It was much
better to have Kathy on your side than against you. As others have
mentioned, she was principled and tenacious and would fight for what she
thought was right, even if it were a losing battle. She had integrity,
passion and determination, and a strong sense of justice, based on her
reaction to her experiences growing up in Latin America.
Kathy and I saw the world through very similar lenses,
but she was so much stronger and more committed. For example, I could
only take being a member of the President’s Labor Standards and Human
Rights Committee for one year, so exasperated was I by the student
activists’ aversion to rigorous analysis, open-minded learning, and
seeing the world through the circumstances of others. But Kathy stayed
on the Committee for many years, rendering service well above and beyond
the call of duty.
Kathy and I also fought together to save International
Business as a separate field and department in the Business School of
which we were both members. But when we lost, it was she who kept the
field alive by shepherding the remnant International Business PhD
program, now housed in the Business Economics department, helping to
preserve its glory of the previous forty years. Kathy truly put her
brilliant mind, her warm heart, and her preciously short time on this
earth, to work on sustaining and promoting her beliefs—a shining example
for all of us who are so caught up in the demands of our daily lives and
work that we “don’t have the time”.
Finally, Kathy had a keen eye as well as empathy for
people. Fairly early on, shortly after she got to know my husband, who
also had worked in Latin America in his youth, she rendered the
observation that her relationship with Jan, and mine with Pete, were
very similar. Or as she put it, our husbands were “cool” whereas both
she and I were “hot”, including in the expression of grievances we
shared against others, and disagreements we had with each other.
Kathy, I will miss you greatly. Thank you for being a
comrade—as they say, through thick and thin.
Linda Lim |
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I learned of
Kathy’s passing when I returned to work after the holiday break. I, as
many others, was shocked by this horrible news. I found myself reading
the email twice to make sure there was no mistake in what I read. I
immediately thought of Jan and their children and how they must be
feeling at such a terrible loss. This past fall I had worked with Kathy
more closely than I ever had since the BE department merged with IB and
we gained the IB-BE PhD students as part of that merge. Kathy and I
worked on putting together the IB-BE PhD annual all day seminar in
November of 2009. It was obvious to me that her students meant a lot to
her and she always tried to do what was best for them. During the past
several days since Kathy’s passing, I have learned so many things about
her. I’m only sorry that I never got the chance to know her better. Her
death leaves a void in many lives but her memory will live on forever.
May she rest in eternal peace.
My heart goes out to Jan and the family. May God grant you peace and
comfort in the days ahead.
Cheryl Strickland |
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One week
Kathy was here, spicing up the department holiday party and
collaborating on a proposal to hire more young faculty members to work
on sustainable development. The next week she was gone. I am sure we all
felt shocked and numbed by the sudden loss of our vibrant, strong
colleague. Kathy was someone I could always count on to tell it like it
is, to be authentic, and to work towards the common good. She was a
breath of fresh air, vital, resilient, tough but somehow warm and sweet
at the same time. She was the heart and soul of our PhD program in
Business Economics, and brought a depth of caring to all of her
interactions with our doctoral students. There is no way to replace her.
But we can honor her memory by keeping alive her passion, grit, optimism
and commitment to make the world a better place. Tom Lyon
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I miss Kathy
so much. I was so shocked by the news and I still could not believe that
Kathy was no longer in her office waiting for us to talk with her. When
I arrived in Ann Arbor several years ago, Kathy was the first person who
gave me warmest welcome and made me feel like joining a big family.
Kathy cared about her students so much and made every effort to help
them find out their research topics, career paths, funding and job
opportunities, etc. She made comments on each referee report I submitted
and her words were always encouraging and inspiring. Just several days
before Christmas, I met Kathy in Ford School and she gave me detailed
instructions on how to avoid the construction site in front of Ford
School and find the best route back to business school. Now I still take
that route to Ford school, but Kathy is not there… She was such a nice
advisor and friend. She will be in our memory forever.
My warmest regards and deepest sympathies,
Bo Zhao, Doctoral Candidate in Business Economics
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Like everyone
who knew Kathy, I was shocked and saddened to learn of her passing over
the holidays. Kathy was an ideal mentor to me, and it is no exaggeration
to say that I would not have been able to complete my doctoral studies
without her advice and guidance. She was a warm person with a lively
sense of humor, and always encouraged me to do my best. She was honest,
too: when my work wasn’t up to standard she would not mince words. It is
this combination of compassion and integrity that I remember most about
Kathy. And her work ethic: always busy! It was a challenge to keep up
with her; I often wondered where she found the stamina. Yet she always
found time for her students, no matter how busy, and usually she was
smiling amidst the chaos.
You were a wonderful advisor and friend, Kathy. I still can’t believe
you are gone.
Mike Troilo, Assistant Professor at the University of Tulsa |
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I am saddened
at the recent passing of Dr. Terrell but am happy I had the pleasure of
knowing her when I was at the University of Michigan. I met Kathy
Terrell when I was a graduate student (2002) in the MPP program at the
Gerald R. Ford School. She was always supportive of students and
supported our effort to go to Havana, Cuba to learn about education and
health policy. She was a kind person and will be greatly missed.
Gladys Mitchell, Social Science Research Institute Fellow, Duke
University |
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I will
remember Kathy with great admiration and fondness. From the Memorial
Service, it was clear that Kathy lived her life to the fullest—despite a
prolonged and serious illness. She also was warm and engaging. When
Arvids and I moved to Ann Arbor, she and Jan welcomed us into their home
for wonderful food and conversation. When I commented on the work of her
students, she made a special point of stopping by to thank me in person.
When I last spoke with Kathy in December, the conversation naturally
turned to research and ideas we could pursue together. She never put on
airs or acted self-important. Rather, she graciously shared with me her
time, ideas, and compassion.
Kathy’s vibrant “spark” and kind spirit will be sorely missed. I offer
sincere condolences to Jan, her children and family, and her many
friends within the university and around the world.
--Rosemarie Ziedonis (Strategy Department) |
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As would
anyone who had the privilege of knowing her, I was saddened when I
learned that Professor Terrell had passed away. Last year, as a
second-year student at the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, I had
the pleasure of taking a labor economics course with Professor Terell.
She was an excellent educator, mentor, and all-around inspiration. Not
having a strong quantitative background, she had the utmost patience
with my learning and academic development as a graduate student. She
always pushed me to the limits, challenging me think critically,
diligently, and beyond the box. Thanks in part to her, not only did I
improve my quantitative skills, but she helped me realize my full
academic and professional potentials. From this day forward I will
always remember her advice, tutelage, unparalleled great character, and,
of course, her beautiful smile. May she rest in eternal peace and may
her legacy live on forever.
With my warmest regards and deepest sympathies,
Erik A. Fonseca, MPP '2009, Gerald Ford School of Public Policy |
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Kathy and I
worked closely together on a number of projects, going back to her first
years here at Michigan, the most recent one being our study abroad
program in Costa Rica. She was a great colleague, full of passion and
ideas, and always a strong advocate for our students. She was a fierce
advocate for international education of all types—the doctoral program
in international business, Latin American studies, and all types of
experiential learning. That she was widely admired in two very different
places—the business school and the Ford school—is evidence of her
intellectual breadth and professional dedication. Kathy was also one of
those people who made the university work as a community, not only by
bridging the gap between two professional schools, but by projecting
warmth and empathy and in every social and professional situation. I
will miss her greatly.
Brad Farnsworth |
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I was
completely shocked and saddened to hear about Kathy. I always admired
Kathy’s commitment to exposing others to emerging market issues. I
remember a few years ago when she approached me about taking on a course
she had run with students the year before. She had taken the students to
Cuba the preceding year and put together a core group of students who
would work on the following year’s course. She allowed the students to
play a major role in the development and focus of the course. I remember
thinking at the time that I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but she
assured that it would be fine. She was right – it did work out. Through
that course I learned how effectively she was able to engage the
students not just in the content but also the learning process. I also
learned how much work she put into this year after year (I know she ran
a similar course at the Ford School). On a more personal note, I always
enjoyed interacting with her very much. She was outgoing and anxious to
hear what was going on both professionally and with the family. I shall
truly miss seeing her. My deepest sympathies are with Jan and his
family.
-Paul Clyde |
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I had the
great privilege of taking PubPol 696 with Professor Terrell in Winter
2009. Every class period she challenged us to think through the
economic, social, and political various labor-related policies and to
shrewdly critique the papers that we read. It was a small class and we
weren't allowed to be passive students. It was quite a demanding yet
incredibly fulfilling course. As a result of the dynamic engagement
during class, I learned a great deal from both her and my peers.
Professor Terrell's contributions to the Ford School community have been
tremendous. She was a truly exceptional professor and I feel honored to
have had an opportunity to study with her. I will carry the lessons that
I learned from her into my public policy career with me for many years
to come.
Warmest Regards,
Kathleen Ludewig |
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There are the
things we believe and we do not believe. I do not believe that Kathy is
not here any longer. We met in January 1997 – she was relatively new at
the Business School when I arrived as a completely lost Fulbright
Scholar with two suitcases and a daughter in Laura’s age. I got the
office on the 7th floor between Jan and Kathy’s offices. Kathy was a
sunshine for me: she was helping me with everything even though she was
also a relatively new at the BS and AA. I was not the only one: there
was a group of Czech and Slovak visitors and students who frequently met
at her office or house. She was helping us with everything: lending
material things for life that we forgot at home or never bought in the
USA starting with a teaspoon and ending with a car, providing a lot of
advice how to live at the BS and generally in the US environment, how to
manage research, teaching, but also how to do shopping or how to deal
with the schools and teachers of our children. She was always so
generous, sharing, goodhearted, and hardworking - a clear example and
role model for all of us. She and Jan were an ideal couple of two good
people and great researchers, and my family feel privileged that we met
them. When we heard the news about Kathy, we all cried: my husband, our
two daughters and me. We met her many times - during my Fulbright era,
during my Visiting Professor post in AA, during my time at the WDI,
during my work for the HR network for CEE that Kathy helped to found,
during my frequent visits to Ann Arbor. I live many miles away and
cannot participate on any official goodbye for Kathy – and that is good
– I shall always remember her being here, talking to me, shining for me
with her smile, shining for me with her good heart. Our deepest
sympathies to Jan, Dan and Laura. Please do not cry, Kathy lives in our
memories and hearts. Ferenciks: Sonia, Stefan, Zita and Sonia jr.
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The news of
Kathy passing away is both shocking and devastating to anyone who knows
her as a dear person. It is hard to believe she, who always lives life
to its fullest, could so suddenly leave us. We have been so used to
feeling her energy and passion whenever she is present. Her parting
leaves a void in every life she has touched, lives of her doctoral
students, her coauthors, her friends, and of course, her loving and
beloved family.
I came to know Kathy in 2002 when she admitted me into the doctoral
program. I was immediately attached to her warmth. Knowing my difficulty
in wrapping up my projects at the World Bank, she gave me the most
generous and flexible research-assistance assignment as a doctoral
student. In the many years thereafter, she has shown her deepest love,
care and sense of responsibility toward me and other doctoral students
in the department. She is always ready to fight for every one of us when
it comes to funding, research and job opportunities. As a great hostess,
she whole-heartedly welcomes us doctoral students and BE faculty many
times into her lovely home with Jan and their children, Daniel and
Laura. The annual doctoral student workshop she set up continues to be a
highlight in the program.
The best advice Kathy gave doctoral students has been, "in choosing
research topics, follow your heart." Dear Kathy, I know you’ve always
followed your heart in taking care of everybody around you. We all miss
you. You will be in my loving memory.
Maggie Zhou
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland
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Elena and I
were devastated by Kathy's sudden death; she was so intelligent,
incredibly energetic despite her sickness, involved in many important
projects,
and full of love for her family, colleagues and friends. When she was at
Pitt
we frequently talked and she always had new and interesting ideas that
prompted
our intellectual exchange. She was an excellent lecturer, I benefited
from her writings, and
she kindly reviewed a couple of my books. While at Pitt she played a key
role in GSPIA,
the Economics Department and the Latin American Studies Program, her
departure for
UM left a vacuum that still has not been filled. She leaves a wonderful
legacy to her family,
the profession, students and friends.
Carmelo Mesa-Lago
Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Economics and Latin American
Studies, University of Pittsburgh |
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I met
Professor Terrell as a second year student at the Ford School, when it
was still called the School of Public Policy and there were only a few
courses addressing international issues. Fortunately, I was permitted to
enroll in a class she was teaching at the Business School - Doing
Business in Latin America, and was thrilled to discover that Prof.
Terrell was not only well-informed but also incredibly passionate about
the subject matter and truly engaging as a Professor. We shared a common
love and interest in Latin America, as did many of the students in this
class. The discussions would often become particularly lively whenever
an example was used from a country where one of us had lived or worked.
I could see that she valued our contributions as much as we valued the
knowledge she imparted to us. At the time that I took her class, Kathy
and her husband were looking for someone to help out in their home and I
was looking for a way to earn some money while at school. So, we formed
an agreement and I would head over to her house after my classes to help
clean, prepare dinner and tutor Daniel and Laura with their homework
(though they rarely, if ever, needed my help) until either Jan and/or
Kathy would return home from work. I often tell my friends and family
that one of the biggest challenges I faced as a graduate student was
learning how to prepare dinner for four people. But I did, sometimes
with necessary guidance from Kathy or one of her cookbooks! And,
although I was technically a staff member, the whole family always made
me feel welcome and at east in their home. I feel fortunate to have had
a chance to learn from Kathy and to get to know her family during my
final year. My heartfelt condolences go out to Jan, Dan and Laura and
all of Kathy's close friends and family.
Sincerely,
Dana R.H. Doan, MPP 1999 |
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The last time
I saw Kathy typifies how I will remember her warmth, hospitality,
friendliness, and intellect. When I spoke with her briefly at the recent
Ross School holiday luncheon she greeted me with a smile, sparkling
eyes, and a slight nod of her head. Kathy was hosting a visiting
colleague and former student from Latin America and, in just a few
moments, she somehow managed to make introductions, inquire about my
career, provide some insight and advice, express her best wishes for the
holidays, and resolve to see me again soon. Kathy always seemed to be
bursting with energy and asking the most insightful questions with a
genuine and infectious curiosity. She will be missed at the University
of Michigan and far beyond. Jan and her family have my deepest
sympathies on their immense loss.
Norm Bishara |
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I liked
Kathy. I wrote my first summer paper under her guidance, took couple of
her courses and stopped by her office if I needed some advice. I could
clearly see that she had a genuine interest in supporting intelectual
growth of her students. She was always willing to listen and cared about
how we feel about our academic progress and life in general. Last time,
I met Kathy when she and Jan were walking out from the school a few days
before Christmas. When she saw me, she wished me „Krásné Vánoce“, Merry
Christmas in Czech and then added personal „Ahoj“. I will always
remember her as a great person who radiated a lot of positive energy. I
am grateful for the opportunity to know her. I miss her too.
Marek Zapletal, Ph.D. student, 2012 |
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It is with
deep sadness that I mourn Kathy's passing and with thankfulness that I
remember the times I was fortunate enough to enjoy a good conversation
with her. Kathy was such a genuine person who always treated everyone
with warmth and respect. We have lost a thoughtful colleague, a true
world citizen, a good friend, and a very kind soul. I extend my sincere
sympathies to Jan and their children.
Paula Caproni
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Dentists say
that a smile can be improved on by cosmetic procedures. There are
exceptions to every rule and Kathy would be one for this rule. The
reason, though, is simple: just as the eyes can be windows to the soul,
a smile can be a window to the heart. And Kathy had a beautiful heart.
She cared for people, was straightforward and genuine and radiated
passion and warmth. Her relationship with people was not conditioned on
their perceived status and her warmth touched more than most. Her
abiding interest in her students’ welfare was nothing special; it was
just another expression of her fierce determination to bring out the
best in others. She will be missed by many. I, in particular, will miss
being cheered up by the momentary encounters here and there, accompanied
as they were always by some gentle ribbing from either direction. She
was a real academic, a great friend and a wonderful person. My
condolences to Jan and her children. Sugato Bhattacharyya
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We met Kathy
this past summer when she and Jan hosted a UM alumni trip to
Europe....She was an amazing woman with whom we instantly connected,
engaging us with her charm, wit, and sincerity in guaranteeing a
pleasant travel experience for everyone...We personally spent time with
her, hiking the Swiss Alps, where she opened our eyes to all the wonders
of nature....She was awed by the beauty of the wildflowers as they
related to the majesty of the landscape of the Matterhorn...She took our
picture several times, aware of the smallest detail to make the photo
just right ...When we returned home, we shared a lively lunch with her
during the Ann Arbor art fair...Her demeanor was constantly friendly and
nuturing...
We will always remember her for her love of her family and for her
willingness to help others at all times....We are sorry God cut her time
here on earth so short, but are blessed for the opportunity to have
known her.
Our love and peace to Jan and her children,
Colleen Burcar and Bryan Becker |
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No matter the
time of day or the demands on her time, Kathy always stopped to say,
"How are you" and to chat for a few minutes when we met at the parking
garage or in the corridors of the school. I think she cared about
everyone too much to just wave an acknowledgement! Her ready smile will
be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to Jan, Daniel, and Laura.
Anu Nagarajan
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The news
about Kathy was devastating and shocking. We talked briefly about work
shortly before this winter break and, as always, she was full of energy
and plans. It is an unspeakable loss to me and everybody who knew her.
She was a great personality and an outstanding researcher: generous and
supporting, smart and rigorous. Like many generations of students in
Michigan, I learned a great deal from Kathy and I can’t say enough how
much Kathy did for me. I will miss her very, very much. My deepest
sympathies are with Jan and the family.
Yuriy Gorodnichenko (Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley) |
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I met Kathy
in 2007 when she came to the World Bank for her sabbatical. I had read
her articles before, and finally I had the great pleasure of meeting her
in person. I remember our first meeting very well, we spoke about our
work on entrepreneurship and female entrepreneurship in particular and
of her desire to continue working on this topic during her stay at the
Bank. We made plans to work together. I was excited.
As I now think and re-think of all our many meetings and conversations
since that day, I remember almost every single one of them, what we
talked about, the meaning of a coefficient, the alternative
specifications of a regression, but also food, the US, Italy, politics,
the health system, the presidential elections (in the US), the
presidential elections (in the Czech Republic), our families, fashion,
and all the laughs and jokes and the little things of life. Although I
have known her for a relatively short time, I have seen her excited,
angry, happy, disappointed, joyful, upset, ecstatic, anxious, curious,
deeply involved. She was so genuine, passionate, and enthusiastic; she
could not hide what she thought and felt, she could not hide who she
was. And she was kind and supportive, her words were always of
encouragement and optimism.
I remember when she joined Jan during the presidential elections in the
Czech Republic, in February 2008 -- she was at the Bank during that
period. She was sending updates by email, and we were joking about her
having to meet the press and having to 'appear' and speak as a first
lady is supposed to. "They want me to put the make up so and so, change
my hair, change my clothes - can you imagine?"
It was a great gift having had the chance to meet you Kathy, and work
with you -- a great professional and a beautiful person. I will cherish
all I learned from you forever.
Elena Bardasi, The World Bank – PREM Gender and Development Group |
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What I'll
remember most about Kathy, other than her kindness and humor, was her
genuineness: she never acted 'important', was a rapt listener, and lent
integrity to whatever she was working on. I was fortunate enough to
watch her in action over the last few years in her role in running her
department's doctoral program. As much as I admired her for her
professionalism, it was her humanity that always struck me most, along
with a little light in her eyes indicating an impish insight she was
perhaps going to share later on.
The Ross School is renowned for promoting Positive Organizational
Psychology. When the news of Kathy's passing came, all I could think was
that we'd lost one of our best exemplars. She leaves behind a legacy of
having made everything she touched better than it was, and a lot of
people who loved her and working with her.
Fred Feinberg |
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I will miss
Kathy’s gentle spirit and a warm smile. I always enjoyed my interactions
with her whether it was on the doctoral studies committee or just a
chance encounter in the hallway. Her passing reminds me of the
preciousness of life and the need to appreciate each day. I will miss
her! Gretchen Spreitzer
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My heart is
broken and I am saddened with tears. Kathy was such a beautiful person
and we bonded with her on our Ford School IEDP trip to Ethiopia in 2005.
We were all a great group under her guidance along with Jude Hays who
co-taught with her. She was my teacher for the class and I instantly
felt her warm and nurturing spirit. I remember when we were in Addis
Ababa how scared I was when she said she was in need of a piece of
equipment she had forgotten to bring with her to clean the tube in her
throat and she asked if I could help. We made calls, asked everywhere,
and I asked her to show me what the piece looked like and went to the
nearest pharmacy. We got very worried and I remember praying to God
something would work out. They didn’t have anything like it, but I
figure if I bought a couple pieces of things I could put something
together that might work – and it did thank God! She was so thankful and
I remember feeling so relieved. She was like an aunt to me and I would
visit her every now and then in her Ford School office, which was on the
same floor as mine. She had embraced the Ethiopian culture and it had
embraced her. We would greet each other with the traditional three
kisses on the cheek and talk about family, life, Ethiopia, and our
research. Her door was always open just like her heart and it’s rare to
find someone always smiling, but Kathy was naturally positive and
welcoming. My brother, Nebyat, and I feel so blessed to have known her
and been students in her class. Beyond her scholarly pursuits, which we
all greatly benefited from, she truly was a ray of sunshine to many of
us at the University of Michigan and in the International Economic
Development Program – a wonderful person with a great heart. God bless
you Kathy. We love you and you will be greatly missed. Sincerely,
Menna Demessie, PhD 2010
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I worked with
Kathy for 8 years at the Davidson Institute. When we moved into Wyly
Hall her office was directly across from mine. We served on many
committees together, sat at many staff meetings and planned and attended
conferences in transition and emerging market economies around the
world. Kathy was a warm, humane and genuine person. She was fully
committed to her work and her family, fiercely loyal to colleagues and
friends, and completely straightforward. Her directness was the product
both of her emotional temperament, I think, and her belief that respect
demands honesty. Her death seems an even greater loss because she was so
fully engaged and alive. Anna Meyendorff
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This sad news
came as a shock; like several others I had exchanged e-mails with Kathy
only a few days before. Kathy treated everyone in the department with
instant warmth and familiarity, and was a key contributor to making our
department feel like a family. She was an advocate for the PhD students,
and I will miss her passion and enthusiasm both for her own research as
well as for seeing students succeed. Nicholas Powers, Doctoral
Candidate in Business Economics
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Kathy
discovered, shortly after I started work at the BSchool, that we shared
the same birth date. Every year after that we went to lunch together on
that day (to a buy 1, get 1 free, of course). Don’t tell anyone, but we
also had a glass of wine to celebrate another year. For the first few
years she thought I was the same age as she. I discovered this one year
when she introduced me to some visitors from Europe as it being highly
unusual that you find someone the same age as you with the same birth
date. I clued her in when we went to lunch that day. We had fun
conversations about life in general, etc. She will be missed. Janet
Nightingale
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I first met
Kathy in the summer of 1996 after she arrived to Ann Arbor. She joined
the William Davidson Institute as a Faculty Associate when her husband
Jan Svejnar came to be our Executive Director. We worked together for
eight years. Kathy was very hospitable, intelligent, articulate, and
exuded a passion about many things – not the least of which were: labor
economics, public policy, and developing economies. She enjoyed
traveling the globe and enjoyed bestowing gifts to others. Once she gave
me a salt and pepper shaker set she purchased abroad; another time it
was a very brightly colored fabric belt from South America. The last
time I saw Kathy was at the RSB Holiday party on December 11th; she saw
me walk in alone and insisted that I join her and her colleague (a
visiting professor who was leaving Michigan that afternoon). We enjoyed
“catching-up” briefly over delicious hot chocolate. We exchanged a few
brief stories, and told each other about our favorite holiday traditions
which we anticipated in the coming days.
I extend my most sincere sympathies to Jan, Daniel and Laura.
Jill Elliott |
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Today I am
truly saddened :-( And filled with tears. Not only am I mourning the
death of my good friend, childhood schoolmate, and fellow African
brother Arthur Mwale's death Jan 7 2008. But I just received the email
from my Dean of Public Policy. Prof. Katherine Terrell was a great
mentor and guidance counselor. She was also the professor that led the
trip to Senegal for my Public Polcy IEDP course where I traveled to
Senegal last February. I have learned so much from Prof. Terrell, and
had also had a chance to meet her wonderful husband and her beautiful
home, in Ann Arbor in celebration of the success of our research.
I am truly at a loss of words, and feel that I should share this message
with all of you....life is too short. Make sure you tell those that have
guided you in your path to success that you Thank them....Time is not
guaranteed to any of us. RIP Prof. Terrell and Arthur Mwale. You will be
missed.....
-Nuria Abdu Siraj, MPP 2009 |
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Before I
applied for Ford School, I contacted several professors to set up an
appointment to meet them and discuss my plan. Katherine was one of them
who gave me the most encouragement. She was very warm, kind and
friendly. I left with my heart full of hope and courage. I eventually
became a student in Ford school, and are very happy with this decision.
Katherine played an important role in my decision, and I will miss her
forever. Lin Jones, MPP candidate 2011
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I have worked
with Kathy on several committees and always felt her warmth, generosity
of spirit and willingness to help. These are all the signs of a valued
colleague, and trusted member of the community and a wonderful human
being. In those short times I have gotten to know her, I felt so much so
quickly, that I feel the loss of her among us in a way that is deep and
profound. Kathy will be missed as she will be remembered.
“Say not in grief 'she is no more' but live in thankfulness that she
was.” — Hebrew proverb
"I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hand." —
Isaiah 49:15
Andy Hoffman |
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It was barely
a year after our first meeting, and she was dear enough already to feel
like a mother-figure.
It is terribly hard to forget a person like Kathy Terrell; probably
because she made time for so many meals- sandwich lunch to find out that
you're doing okay, sushi lunch to review your plans for summer research,
chit-chat on the side during departmental dinner... She could chat. She
knew so much about so many parts of the world and was always eager to
discover more through conversation. My condolences to members of her
family, because if what she gave of herself to her students was so
valuable - one can only imagine the magnitude of their loss. I
remain grateful to her memory. Michael Olabisi, PhD Student 2014
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I was shocked
to hear this incredibly sad news; we had been exchanging emails just a
few days before. Kathy was a wonderful colleague and will be very
greatly missed. From my first meeting with her on my job market visit,
she was always very friendly, supportive and encouraging. Her feisty
spirit, whether it was advocating for our PhD program and students or
when discussing labor market and women’s issues in developing countries,
was a defining characteristic. The zeal she showed for her students was
amazing to me, having seen nothing close to this in my own graduate
student life. (Typically, one of the last things she was working on was
improving the marketing of our job market candidates). I remember many
meetings where I would advocate a position different from hers; while
she was passionate about her views, she was always willing to listen
carefully and accommodate other ideas. I will miss her teasing my
accent, and pointing out I pronounced words in the funny Indian way; I
will miss her laughing when I teased her back on how she pronounced
Indian names. I will remember her sense of humor, her graciousness, her
warmth, and her tremendous passion and joy about her family and her
work. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan, Daniel and Laura; & rest in
peace, dear Kathy!
Jagadeesh Sivadasan
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The very
first email I got from Kathy was back in April, 2006, when she invited
me to come to Michigan campus for my PhD recruitment interview; and the
very last email I got from her was a few days before her passing away in
which she notified me that she had finished writing a recommendation
letter supporting my application for a Rackham fellowship. Always making
her students’ needs a top priority is how I remember her as a mentor.
During my campus interview, she asked me tough questions to help me
better formulate my vague research ideas. Then when I handed her my
application statement for the Rackham fellowship, she offered insightful
comments and constructive criticisms that greatly shaped and improved my
thinking process as I completed my proposal. As a researcher, she was
always sharp and crisp in her ideas that she presented to the academic
audience. Kathy is a thoughtful and caring person. She took me to an
Asian restaurant for lunch when I interviewed since she thought I might
prefer that to sandwiches and salads. In her last email to me, she
wrote: “Merry Christmas (or whatever you will celebrate this week)!” I
think of her as a great friend and a motherly figure. We lost a
passionate researcher and compassionate individual. She will be greatly
missed. Xiaoyang Li, PhD student, 2011
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I was shocked
to hear from Francine that Kathy suddenly passed away last month in the
Dominican Republic. I met Kathy at various seminars and in the hallways
at the business school when I was a doctoral student at Ross. Kathy was
energetic, knowledgeable, and generous. I won't forget her big smile and
warm words. I am saddened to hear the loss of such a wonderful person to
the Ross community. My thoughts are with Jan and the family. Desmond
Lo (Assistant Professor, Santa Clara University)
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I read about
Kathy‘s death in the Czech news. I was surprised and shocked, I first
thought that it must be some "mess- up" in the newspapers... I was even
more shocked when this extremely sad news was confirmed - I still can
not believe it... When I came to AA as a PhD student Kathy cared for me
and other students like our mom. She was always full of energy, humour
and big heart filled with endless understanding for everything that was
going on in my life. At the same time she was very demanding, passionate
and hard working. When I applied for the Rackham Fellowship she did not
mind spending days helping me to re-write my proposal word by word...at
the end I have got the fellowship. I can not thank you enough Kathy for
ALL you have done for me!
Renata Kosova (PhD student 2004). |
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Kathy was a fine economist and a truly beautiful person. An amazing thing about her was how deeply she cared, on a personal level, about the welfare of people in developing countries, like she felt it was her mission to make those lives better. I believe her research
did help a lot that way, especially her work on
minimum wages in Latin America. She was very nice with me since I joined Ross. I loved the way she
pronounced my name, making fun of my accent. The last time I saw her, we talked about this Italian dish whose name she found very funny the "pasta puttanesca".
Ciao Kathy.
Mario Macis
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I find it hard to put in writing my appreciation
for everything that Kathy did at the school. I worked with her as a
colleague and friend, and most recently coordinated with her on the BBA
study abroad course in Costa Rica in May 2009, which she was looking
forward to doing again this summer. After a recent faculty get-together
Kathy said to me that we should do this more often: we don’t take the
time we should to stop working around the clock, get together to learn
more about each other and share a few laughs. I think about that and
realize what a special person she was and how she touched all of us.
Above all, her passion for the doctoral students and the integrity of
the doctoral program stands out. So many have benefitted from her
tireless efforts and caring nature. We will miss her. My thoughts and
deepest sympathies are with Jan and the family.
Valerie Suslow
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I learned that Kathy had died in the Dominican
Republic from a short email that Jan sent, on Dec. 29th. I could not
believe it. How could this be? I had seen her, strong as ever, just two
weeks before, at my house. She had been her playful and energetic self.
Sure, for years now she had been fighting infections and other
complications resulting from her throat amyloidosis. We all knew that
this was not a small thing. But she always bounced back, ready to fight
another day. And she was always so busy, moving along her long list of
research projects, and working with PhD, MBA, MPP and BBA students, and
helping with or organizing one thing or another. She was so passionate
about all her work, wanting to make a real difference in the lives of
the poor around the world through her research and her teaching. What a
big hole she leaves in our lives now that she is gone. I am grateful for
all the years of collaboration and friendship that we did share. I was
hoping for many more, however. My sincerest condolences to those who
were always most important in her life, her husband, Jan, and her two
wonderful children, Daniel and Laura, in these very difficult times.
Francine Lafontaine
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