TOWSON, Md. – The Towson athletic department mourns the loss of former President Dr. Maravene Loeschke, one of its biggest supporters.
 
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Maravene,"said Director of Athletics Tim Leonard.  "Her love for Towson University was contagious.  I personally owe her gratitude for giving me this opportunity at Towson."
 
Loeschke championed for the athletics department to become Title IX compliant.  Through her efforts, Towson's women coaches' salaries have increased to now exceed the I-AA/I-AAA median and are closer to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) median.  She also helped increase the number of full-time assistants on staff for our female sports.
 
In her time as president, Loeschke's attendance athletic events were very much noticed.  Whether she was playing the tambourine with the band, or cheering on the Tiger football team in Frisco, Loeschke brought smiles to those around her.
 
A true inspiration to all those she encountered, Loeschke was awarded the 2015 John Randolph Inspiration Award by the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). 
 
The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.

CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager presented the Randolph Award to Loeschke during Towson University's Service Awards Banquet inside SECU Arena.
 
Beginning in 1970, Loeschke advanced through the Towson University faculty ranks and was the dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication from 1997 to 2002.
 
Loeschke left her alma mater to serve as the provost of Wilkes University and the president of Mansfield University.  She rejoined the Towson family, taking over as University President on January 1, 2012.  Loeschke was the president for less than two years before she resigned in December, 2014 to fight a battle with adrenal cancer.
 
While her tenure as Towson's president was brief, Loeschke made a lasting impact. She launched numerous mentoring and leadership programs and has played an active role since her departure.   The cancer did not keep her from Towson; Loeschke continued to routinely speak at school functions, attends events and actively worked on Towson's 150th anniversary project.
 
In January, Towson launched the latest of Loeschke's initiatives, the TU Professional Leadership Program for Women. The program was designed with input from business and community leaders to address challenges women face in the workplace. It features training for professional women in commanding respect in the workplace and creating personal brands.
 
In memory of her life's work, her family suggests memorial gifts to the following endowments: President Maravene Loeschke Leadership Endowment Scholarship; C.R. Gillespie and Maravene S. Loeschke Scholarship Endowment; and Towson UTeach.