Stephen Harmon (1945 - 2020)
Dr. Stephen Harmon was a founding member of the Mid-American Alliance for African Studies (MAAAS) at its conception in 1995. Since that time Dr. Harmon played an invaluable role in shaping the organization and ensuring its longevity through his devotion to African and Africana studies. Dr. Harmon embodied the importance of approaching the complexities of African and Africana Studies through interdisciplinary approaches that encouraged rigorous debate and discussions at the annual conferences.
His academic and personal life reflected his intellectual commitment to the peoples of Africa. In addition to his extensive research and publishing agenda he welcomed international students to his university with an authentic desire to cultivate the next generation of scholars. Special Collections at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS is establishing an archive of Dr. Harmon’s extensive African Studies research. The Dr. Stephen Harmon Archives will be housed in the Leonard H. Axe Library at Pittsburg State University to ensure that generations of scholars and students will continue to benefit from his work.
Stephen will be missed by many, but appreciated by many as well. His legacy will live on in those he taught, befriended, and mentored throughout his exemplary career.
Comments and Memories:
Olive Sullivan: "I always enjoyed attending the MAAAS conference. Two that stand out were one in Lawrence and one in Springfield, Mo. I found many of the presentations interesting, even though I am not myself an Africanist., but what I really enjoyed was the culture night. I am in a drum circle, Amanita Sound Tribe, so it was always fun to see drumming and even get to participate. It was also fun when I could get Steve on the dance floor. One of the benefits of being Steve's wife was to get to meet his many interesting and far-flung friends, and to be with him as he mentored younger colleagues. I saw all of that happening at MAAAS. It was so important to him to have these regional connections, and I'm sure others in the midwest can say the same. Steve was the only Africanist at PSU, and thus he craved contact with others who were interested in his field."
Dr. Stephen Harmon was a founding member of the Mid-American Alliance for African Studies (MAAAS) at its conception in 1995. Since that time Dr. Harmon played an invaluable role in shaping the organization and ensuring its longevity through his devotion to African and Africana studies. Dr. Harmon embodied the importance of approaching the complexities of African and Africana Studies through interdisciplinary approaches that encouraged rigorous debate and discussions at the annual conferences.
His academic and personal life reflected his intellectual commitment to the peoples of Africa. In addition to his extensive research and publishing agenda he welcomed international students to his university with an authentic desire to cultivate the next generation of scholars. Special Collections at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS is establishing an archive of Dr. Harmon’s extensive African Studies research. The Dr. Stephen Harmon Archives will be housed in the Leonard H. Axe Library at Pittsburg State University to ensure that generations of scholars and students will continue to benefit from his work.
Stephen will be missed by many, but appreciated by many as well. His legacy will live on in those he taught, befriended, and mentored throughout his exemplary career.
Comments and Memories:
Olive Sullivan: "I always enjoyed attending the MAAAS conference. Two that stand out were one in Lawrence and one in Springfield, Mo. I found many of the presentations interesting, even though I am not myself an Africanist., but what I really enjoyed was the culture night. I am in a drum circle, Amanita Sound Tribe, so it was always fun to see drumming and even get to participate. It was also fun when I could get Steve on the dance floor. One of the benefits of being Steve's wife was to get to meet his many interesting and far-flung friends, and to be with him as he mentored younger colleagues. I saw all of that happening at MAAAS. It was so important to him to have these regional connections, and I'm sure others in the midwest can say the same. Steve was the only Africanist at PSU, and thus he craved contact with others who were interested in his field."