By Laura Mueller-Soppart, News Staff
Dr. Joseph Warren, longtime Northeastern educator and administrator, died Sunday due to complications following a stroke. He was 71.
Those close to Dr. Warren said his work as an activist, educator, and community developer left an impact on Northeastern, the City of Boston, and the nation.
Growing up in Harlem and attending college in North Carolina during the peak of the civil rights movement, Dr. Warren never shied away from the challenges of social justice, said former Gov. Michael Dukakis, who knew Dr. Warren from Dr. Warren’s work on Dukakis’ political campaigns.
He served as an aide to Dukakis from 1982 to 1986, and as a senior adviser during the 1988 presidential campaign. He sat on Dukakis’ Community Development Coordinating Council, working on urban renewal along Boston’s Southwest Corridor, and on minority hiring issues.
“He was a remarkable guy,” said Dukakis. “He and his contemporaries lived through a generation that gave him every reason to be cynical, but that never stopped him. He had a relentless sense of optimism and truly believed in the power of collective change.”
Throughout his life he maintained a passion for youth development and nurturing underprivileged children’s potential for success. After receiving his degree from Brandeis University and serving in the Air Force, Dr. Warren spearheaded a campaign to improve the social and economic needs of minority communities in Massachusetts.
Long time friends and colleagues, Dukakis and Dr. Warren grew close working together in Washington. The two had a running joke about Dr. Warren’s run-down Volkswagen Beetle.
“Every week Joe would pick me up in his bug so we could keep in touch,” said Dukakis. “Every other time I would get a call, ‘Mike, I’m going to be running a little late.’ One day, on the way to the State House, the car literally just died.”
Shane Lloyd, a 2008 Northeastern graduate, worked closely with Dr. Warren on developing the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness in Undergraduate Program. Lloyd said he greatly appreciated the fact that regardless of his title, Dr. Warren was always dedicated to being the face of the trenches.
“He maneuvered between these two worlds effortlessly,” said Lloyd. “He never acted like someone from above, he always tried to come from your level. Working with Dr. Warren was never just a take away; it was always a give and take relationship. He was loved and appreciated for his approach,” said Lloyd.
Dr. Warren helped found Balfour Academy, a program that provides inner-city youth with rigorous college preparation. Carla Oblas, Director of Balfour, admired his dedication to connecting himself with the students on a personal level. At the end of year awards are distributed, and Warren always handed them out himself.
“He had such an impact on the youth,” Oblas said. “His vivacious personality and ability to implement ideas was an inspiration to everyone around him. He was the guy that walked the walk and talked the talk.”
Dr. Warren was a considered a mentor who had something to teach on nearly any topic. Chair of the African American Studies Department, Professor Emmett Price worked with Dr. Warren on academic matters, but also enjoyed playing music together.
“Whenever we played together it was magical,” said Price. “He was a rare Renaissance man of the 21st century. His accomplishments list like an encyclopedia. He was exceptional as a professional, an administrator, an activist, as a vocalist; Joe was one of a few people who did a number of things extremely well.”
Dr. Warren was special assistant to the vice president for government relations. He oversaw the Youth Development Initiative Project, an intensive tutoring program for students from neighborhoods surrounding Northeastern. Additionally, he played an integral role in the development of International Village and mediating discussions with the university and the Community.
“For two years, Warren and I spoke on the phone every night at 11 p.m. We worked endlessly to make sure all the pieces matched together,” said Jeff Doggett, special advisor for the Office of Government Relations and Community Affairs. “I learned a lot from Joe. He always made sure to understand not just what they were saying, but also why they were saying it.”
Dukakis said Dr. Warren left a large impact on him as well.
“He will be terribly missed,” said Dukakis. “Joe was full of optimism and faith and that in one way or another, we could all make a difference. He was the full package. You could never be down in Joe’s presence, it was impossible.”
In addition to Boston and the Northeastern community, Dr. Joe Warren is survived by his wife, Martha, son Setti Warren, daughter, Makeda Warren Keegan of Ashland; a stepdaughter, Lea Walker Ruggiero; a stepson, Kier Walker; a brother, Harold Jr., and a sister, Marlene Warren.
“This is an enormous loss,” said Doggett. “He will be dearly missed. Luckily there is comfort in the fact that every person he came across carries a piece of him and his legacy will live on for the betterment of the community.”
