Passing of Scharron Clayton

Dear UNI Family,

It is with great sadness that we share with you the loss of a Panther family member: Scharron Clayton, an associate professor of ethnic and cultural studies.

Scharron has been a member of the Department of Philosophy and World Religions since 1991, where she served as both assistant dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and associate professor of Afro-American Culture and Civilization.

Over her two decades at UNI, Scharron took on a leadership role in diversity matters on campus, serving as a member of multiple committees that generated vital policies, programming and curriculum.

A passionate educator, first and foremost, but Scharron also was an active servant leader on campus and across the Cedar Valley.

As a volunteer for KBBG, Waterloo's first African-American public radio station, Scharron helped provide an outlet for underserved members of the community. She stepped in to serve as president in 2014 following her predecessor's retirement.

Within the community, she also served on the Equity Advisory Board of the Waterloo Community School District and on the Black Leadership Committee in Waterloo. At the state level, Scharron was a member of the Governor's Commissions on the Status of Women and the Status of African Americans.

There is no question that Scharron was a selfless, intelligent and hardworking teacher, mentor and organizer who made an enormous impact on the students, faculty, staff and community members she interacted with throughout her life.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, at Antioch Baptist Church in Waterloo. Please keep the Clayton family in your thoughts as they move through this difficult time.

Mark A. Nook
President