New Orleans, LA – Dillard University expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Jerry Washington Ward, Jr., a distinguished professor of English and Africana Studies who dedicated a decade of his esteemed career to enriching the minds of Dillard students.
Dr. Ward, a renowned poet, essayist, literary critic, and Richard Wright scholar, joined Dillard University in 2002 and served as a Distinguished Professor of English and Africana Studies until his retirement in 2012. His passion for literature, commitment to academic excellence, and vast contributions to African American literary scholarship left an indelible mark on the Dillard community.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Mississippi, Dr. Ward’s academic journey was one of brilliance and dedication. He earned his B.S. in Mathematics from Tougaloo College (1964), his M.S. from the Illinois Institute of Technology (1966), and his Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia (1978). Before arriving at Dillard, he spent over three decades at Tougaloo College, where he shaped the academic landscape as an English professor and department chair.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ward was a leader in the literary and civil rights communities, serving in key roles with the Modern Language Association, the Mississippi Humanities Council, and the U.S. Civil Rights Commission’s Mississippi Advisory Committee. His scholarship, particularly on Richard Wright and African American literature, earned him numerous accolades, including the Darwin T. Turner Award of Excellence, the Public Humanities Scholar Award, and the Richard Wright Literary Excellence Award.
Dillard University is honored to have been part of Dr. Ward’s extraordinary legacy. His wisdom, scholarship, and mentorship will continue to inspire generations of students and scholars.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Ward family and all who had the privilege of knowing and learning from Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tara G. Cunningham
Director
Dillard University Office of Communications and Marketing
tcunningham@dillard.edu
