Barbara Lowery, a long-time Nursing School professor and administrator, died of cancer early Thursday morning.
Lowery, who was serving as associate provost, joined Penn's faculty in 1970. Since then, she had served as chair of Psychiatric Health Nursing, director of the Center for Nursing Research, director of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Nurse Scholars Program and associate dean for research in the Nursing School. She also held a number of University-wide positions, including serving as the University's interim secretary, omsbudsman, Faculty Senate chair and associate provost for faculty appointments, promotions and grievances.
In a written statement, Nursing Dean Afaf Meleis noted that beyond her work as a psychiatric nurse, Lowery was "known by her nursing colleagues as a voice of reason, great integrity, and compassion as an innovative thinker and problem-solver."
"Known as a committed mentor for researchers, teachers, and clinicians, both inside and outside the University, we will miss her scholarship and her warm wisdom for a long time to come," Meleis wrote. "However, she left us with a legacy that will always remain and she will never be forgotten."
"Beyond her capable leadership and keen grasp of University policy and practices, Barbara has been best known on our campus for her exceptional judgment, her profound sense of fairness and her extraordinary grace under pressure," Provost Robert Barchi said in a written statement. "She has left a legacy of leadership and strength of character that we all aspire to. We have lost an extraordinary colleague and friend."
The Nursing School plans to hold a memorial service for Lowery, but no details have been released yet. An anonymous donor has also established a Barbara J. Lowery Scholarship Fund in her honor.
Read The Daily Pennsylvanian on Tuesday or check back at www.dailypennsylvanian.com for more details.
