Honorary Doctoral Marshal: Kolajo Paul Afolabi

As HGSE doctoral candidates lined up on Appian Way to process into Harvard Yard today, they did so with one of their former classmates close to their hearts and minds. On the front of many of their crimson robes was a pin bearing the face of honorary doctoral marshal, Kolajo Paul Afolabi, Ed.M.’10, who died in September 2011 after reportedly sustaining an accidental head injury while jogging in Providence, R.I.

“All of us have no doubt in our minds that he would have been a marshal,” said doctoral candidate Marcia Russell. “From the first moment we all met [the 2007 cohort] at HGSE, they took a photo of us standing below the courtyard in Larsen. Kolajo towered above us all, and we all looked up to him. He was one of the most brilliant people we had met. He made everyone feel comfortable, feel loved, feel welcomed, and part of the group.”

Afolabi’s death was difficult for the cohort who had grown close in their four years together, and they first wore pins in his honor several years ago. But as this year's Commencement approached, Russell and the cohort asked Student Affairs if there was a special way to honor Afolabi seeing as how 2014 would have been the year that he completed his degree researching college access and success, community colleges, financial aid, and student success programs. His dissertation intended to focus on the transfer function of community colleges for low-income students.

Liz Thurston, director of student affairs, suggested that Afolabi be named an honorary marshal. “Kolajo was a beloved member of this community, known by many students, both master’s and doctoral,” Thurston said. “His loss has been felt deeply here at HGSE, but his spirit is still among us. For the person he was and the many contributions he made, we proudly present our first honorary marshal award to Kolajo, posthumously.”

In a special tribute yesterday, during the 2014 Convocation Ceremony, Dean James Ryan presented Afolabi’s parents and brother with the special medal bestowed upon class marshals. Following hugs from Ryan and Academic Dean Bridget Terry Long, Afolabi’s father turned to the audience and cupped his hands raising them to the audience in thanks.

“We were all thrilled that HGSE so warmly embraced this idea,” Russell said. “It’s a nice way to honor him. He loved life and had so much fun doing it.”