Dr. Marva Rudolph, associate vice chancellor and director of the Office of Equity and Diversity, passed away on February 6.
Marva was a recognized diversity professional who worked tirelessly with administrators, faculty, staff, and students to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion at UT.
She began her work in diversity and inclusion in 1982 with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission where she worked for eight years before coming to UT.
She joined the university in 1990 as a specialist in affirmative action. In 1994, she became the assistant director of Diversity Resources and Educational Services—which was later renamed the Office of Equity and Diversity—before becoming director in 1999. In 2013, Marva was promoted to associate vice chancellor and director of the Office of Equity and Diversity.
In addition to her service to UT, Marva was a member of Delta Sigma Theta.
She is survived by her husband, Johnnie; son, John Marcus; and daughter, Janna Michelle.
Marva received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Knoxville College, a master’s degree in urban planning from UT, and a doctorate in political science from UT.
There will be a gathering of family and friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, at UT’s Black Cultural Center, 1800 Melrose Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation, Inc.
To read her obituary, visit the Knoxville News Sentinel.