Acclaimed Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Political Science Professor Jewel Limar Prestage Passes Away in the U.S.
Alumni, faculty and executives at Black colleges nationwide are mourning the death of Dr. Jewel Limar Prestage, a renowned HBCU professor and the first African-American woman to earn the PhD in political science. She died today in Houston at the age of 82.
SU System President Dr. Ronald Mason Jr., said, “The Jaguar Nation mourns the loss of Dr. Jewel Limar Prestage, a trailblazer who was the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in political science in the United States.”From her years as an undergraduate, to her retirement in 1989 from the Southern University System as the dean of the SUBR School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, she was a true scholar and leader whose pioneering works in political science and academic research are enduring. We extend our condolences and prayers to her family and friends.”
A 1951 graduate of Southern, Dr. Prestage served as a faculty member, chairwoman, and dean of the university’s Department of Political Science, holding the top leadership position for 18 years. Following a 33-year career at Southern, she joined the political science faculty of Prairie View A&M University, and served there as dean of the honors college.
She is credited with mobilizing the early collection of scholars and professionals that would eventually become the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, and is believed to have produced more than 45 PhDs in political science.
“When affirmative action forced majority institutions to hire African Americans, many majority institutions tried to entice Jewel with money and other perks, yet, she chose to stay at Southern University. When she left Southern, she went back to Prairie View where she held her first teaching job. She chose to stay at institutions where the need was great and where she knew she could have maximum impact on the field of black politics,” says Dr. Elsie L. Scott, Director of the Ronald W. Walters Center at Howard University and former student of Dr. Prestage.
Funeral services for Dr. Prestage will be held on Aug. 9 in Houston.
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