RALEIGH, N.C. — An historically black college in Durham has announced the death of its president, WTVD reports. Just three months after his appointment as Saint Augustine’s University’s 12th president, Dr. Irving McPhail has died, the college announced late Thursday night.
McPhail was appointed as president of Saint Augustine’s University on July 15. His position was preceded by former-president Everett Ward.
Saint Augustine’s University’s Board of Trustees Chairman James E. Perry, an alumni from the Class of 1966, confirmed to WTVD that McPhail died from complications related to the virus. McPhail tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the hospital over the weekend, Perry said. It had been over a week since his diagnosis.
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The university announced that Dr. Maria A. Lumpkin would serve as Interim President of the college. Details of public events and memorial arrangements have yet to be announced.
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