University Mourns Two Faculty Members

Dr. Yaw Ackah, professor of sociology and criminal justice, passed away on Feb. 17 after a lengthy illness. Dr. Ackah began teaching at DSU as an assistant professor in 1993 after he earned his doctorate in sociology and criminal justice from Howard University. By 2003, Dr. Ackah had risen to full professor status at DSU.

 

His research in their areas of crime in Washington, D.C., race and health disparities among prison inmates, and transnational crime resulted in published articles in several academic publications. Dr. Ackah was a native of Ghana.

“He was a dedicated teacher, a good scholar, a compassionate faculty member, a decent person, and he was a scrupulously honest person,” said Dr. Kofi Blay, chair of the Department of Sociology. “He has left a gap that will be difficulty to fill.”

 

He is survived by his wife Georgina and five sons, Eric, Ernest, Thomas, Samuel and Ellis, as well as other family members and friends.

 

To allow time for family member to travel from Ghana to the United States, a viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 12  at Torbert Funeral Home on Del. 10. The funeral at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State Street in downtown Dover. The 1 p.m. funeral start time is a rescheduling from the original planned 2 p.m. time, which had to be changed due to a parade event that will be going  on in downtown Dover that afternoon.

 

Dr. Clorice D. Thomas-Haysbert, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management, passed away on Feb. 20 after a long battle with cancer. Dr. Thomas-Haysbert began teaching in the DSU Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management in the fall of 2003. She had been on sick leave since the spring semester 2009.

 

“Dr. T.H., as we called her, was very caring and sincere where the Hospitality & Tourism Management students were concerned and faithfully served as their mentor and advisor, said Dr. Cynthia R. Mayo, the department’s chair.

 

Dr. Mayo added that Dr. Thomas-Haysbert served as the chair of the department’s Curriculum Committee and also served on the Assurance of Learning Committee. Prior to arriving at DSU, she was the director of the Hospitality Management Program at Howard University.

 

She is survived by her husband Raymond Haysbert, as well as other family and friends.

 

There will be a Memorial Service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at Centennial United Methodist Church, 44 East Mt. Vernon Street, Smyrna, Del. Friends can call on the family at the church two hours before the service begins.