Virginia Military Institute
mourns loss of acting dean
 |
| William J. Stockwell died Wednesday morning. (Courtesy of Virginia Military Institute) |
William J. Stockwell, acting dean of the faculty and deputy superintendent at Virginia Military Institute, died Wednesday morning in Rockbridge County.
“He was a very approachable person, extremely competent,” said VMI spokesman Stewart MacInnis. “He was the person you go to when you get the answer to whatever question.”
Stockwell had been associated with the college since 1975, when he was hired as a physical education instructor. He rose to the rank of full professor before becoming an associate dean in 1994. In 1986 he received VMI’s Thomas Jefferson Distinguished Teaching Award.
His death, apparently of a self-inflicted wound, stunned VMI students and faculty, who said they admired him as well as his work.
Stockwell is survived by his wife, Jill, daughter, Jaclyn, and sons Robert and Bredt.
Funeral arrangements were pending late Thursday, according to the college’s Web site. Counselors were available for cadets, faculty and staff, according to a statement from the superintendent’s office.
Contributed to by Laure Baron, Marisa Van Brunt, and Farrell Ulrich
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Indira Somani
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Lisa Tracy
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd