Tribute to Peace Scholar Howard Wolpe: 1939-2011

The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies (KSPS) is deeply saddened by the loss of Visiting Peace Scholar, Howard Wolpe, who passed away last week in his hometown of Saugatuck, Michigan. He was 71 years old.

A former seven-term Member of Congress, Wolpe is perhaps best known for his role in the 1986 passage of the federal anti-apartheid act that imposed economic sanctions on South Africa, which passed in spite of President Ronald Reagan's veto. As President Clinton's Special Envoy to Africa's Great Lakes Region, Wolpe helped mediate an end to conflicts in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He recently returned to government as special adviser to President Barack Obama.

As a renowned peace builder, Wolpe was scheduled to spend two weeks in residence at KSPS, where he planned to meet with students and faculty in the Peace and Justice Studies MA program and deliver a public talk.

"We are very sad about Dr. Wolpe's unexpected death. He was scheduled to arrive on campus in early November and we were all looking forward to hosting him here, " stated Lee Ann Otto, KSPS Associate Dean. "Our students, in particular, were eager to learn from his extensive peacebuilding experiences in Africa. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family."