Pictured in the foreground are Dane Ward and his wife, Jenny Ward, at his retirement celebration on Appalachian’s campus in October 2019. Photo by Marie Freeman
BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Dane Michael Ward (1958–2020) loved research and reading, music and the arts, athletics and, above all, his family. His son William Ward said his father was “a seeker of enlightenment, awakening (and) knowledge.”
Committed to public service and education, Ward was the former dean of university libraries at Appalachian State University and dean of Milner Library at Illinois State University (ISU). He met his wife, Jenny Ward, director of development in the Beaver College of Health Sciences, while a Peace Corps teacher trainer/educational consultant in Senegal, Africa, and he also taught high school social studies and college-level English and social science.
Ward passed away at his home in Blowing Rock Sunday, July 5. More than 100 friends, family and colleagues attended a virtual celebration of his life Saturday, July 18. His sons, Wesley Ward and William Ward, and William’s wife, Katherine Ward, facilitated the event.
Guests from across the U.S. and in England and Denmark spoke of Dane Ward’s devotion to his family, as well as his sense of humor, insatiable curiosity and academic acumen, and his desire to live life to the fullest.
Dr. Dane Ward joined Appalachian State University in 2017 as dean of university libraries. Photo submitted
Dean Dane Ward, center, at the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game held at Appalachian’s Kidd Brewer Stadium in December 2019. Pictured with him in the Chancellor’s Suite of the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex are, from left to right, first row to second row, Stephanie Billings ’92, executive director of alumni affairs; Jenny Ward, wife of Dane Ward and director of development in the Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS); Patrick Billings ’92, husband of Stephanie Billings and member of the BCHS Advisory Council; Hank Foreman ’95, vice chancellor and chief of staff; Chancellor Sheri Everts; Julia Adams ’56; Bo Henderson ’79, one of the eponyms for whom Appalachian’s Henderson Springs LBGT Center is named; and Appalachian Board of Trustees member James K. Reaves ’93. Photo by Marie Freeman
One of three designated speakers, Appalachian Chancellor Sheri Everts spoke as both a close personal friend and a professional colleague. She noted the authenticity of the dean’s character and said, “Those of us who knew him always respected his intelligence, but for me, I greatly valued his friendship and his kindness … Let us honor Dane’s intense lifelong commitment to libraries, to others and to public higher education.”
She continued, “We should all be so fortunate as to have made the professional impact that Dean Dane did, and we should all be so fortunate as to have the love and devotion we have seen from his wife, Jenny, from their sons, from other family members and from friends and colleagues.”
Everts and Ward worked together at ISU, where Everts was provost and vice president of academic affairs and also served as ISU’s interim president. She installed Ward as dean of the school’s Milner Library.
Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts, right, and Dean Dane Ward at his retirement celebration on Appalachian’s campus in October 2019. Photo by Marie Freeman
A life of service and meaning
At the celebration, Ward’s Peace Corps friends, high school and university classmates, former coaches and students, fellow educators and family members shared their memories and accolades of Ward. A recurring theme was his desire to embrace life and all of its opportunities.
Wesley Ward quoted his father: “Life is short. So, what we do should matter and make a difference.” Many attested to the difference Ward made in their lives.
Ward’s housemate from Indiana University, Michael Jensen, said after just a few classroom encounters with Ward, “I figured out he was the smartest and more interesting student and someone I wanted to get to know.” He became a “kind, true and stalwart friend,” Jensen said. “One of the best.”
Connor McLean, a nephew of Ward’s from Copenhagen, said his uncle was a “man on a mission, with great compassion for his fellow man.” A former coach of Ward’s called him “the glue that held the team together,” and one of Ward’s colleagues from ISU said in times of stress, Ward was “able to put out his hand and calm the waters.”
ISU President Larry Dietz called Ward a “true Renaissance man.”
The former dean’s executive assistant at Appalachian, Kathy Coburn, recounted her interview with Ward for her position. “I knew then I wanted to be the best assistant he could possibly have,” she said. “Dane was the kindest, smartest, bravest and most determined person I have ever met.”
As Ward’s amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progressed, Coburn was the person who helped him sign papers and use his computer mouse as his muscles failed him. “It was the highlight of my life that I literally became his right hand,” she said.
Read about Ward’s advocacy for ALS education and research funding.
Dr. Dane Ward, former dean of Appalachian State University Libraries, right in foreground, and his wife, Jenny Ward, during Appalachian’s inaugural Walk to Defeat ALS in March 2019. Photo by Marie Freeman
Long a teacher and librarian
Ward’s career at ISU’s Milner Library spanned 15 years. He also held librarian positions at Central Michigan University and Wayne State University.
Ward earned a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from ISU; a Master of Library and Information Science from Indiana University Bloomington; a Master of Science in secondary social studies education from Florida State University, Tallahassee; and a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Indiana University Bloomington.
Ward is survived by his parents, Gerald “Jerry” Ward and Carol Ward; his wife of 32 years, Jenny Ward; his sons, William Ward and Wesley Ward; his daughter-in-law, Katherine Ward, wife of William Ward; his sister, Stephanie McLean; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Appalachian’s Dr. Dane Ward Endowed Honors Research Scholarship or to the ALS Association North Carolina Chapter.
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Appalachian’s university libraries are vibrant, collaborative learning environments where campus community members come together to create knowledge
About University Libraries
University Libraries at Appalachian State University serves the students, faculty and staff of App State’s Boone and Hickory campuses, contributing to the university’s mission of learning, teaching, advancing knowledge, engagement and effectiveness. Belk Library and Information Commons, the Erneston Music Library and the Hickory Library and Information Commons provide academic resources for all App State students and faculty. Within Belk Library, students and faculty find group and quiet study spaces, digital devices to check out, the Digital Media Studio, the Makerspace, the Virtual Realty Studio, the Special Collections Research Center and more. Learn more at https://library.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
Appalachian’s university libraries are vibrant, collaborative learning environments where campus community members come together to create knowledge
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