President of Converse University dies after falling off bike, university confirms

Updated: 5:18 PM EDT Jul 22, 2021
The president of Converse University died Wednesday night when he fell off his bike, according to the coroner and university officials. Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said Jeffrey Harrison Barker, 64, of Spartanburg, was found on Meadowbrook Road. Troopers said Barker ran off the right side of the road and fell off the bike.Troopers said it happened about 6:15 p.m. Troopers said the Barker was wearing a helmet and died at the scene."The Converse University community mourns the death of President Jeffrey H. Barker. Dr. Barker suddenly and tragically died the evening of July 21, 2021, in a fatal bicycle crash in Spartanburg," a release from the university said. The Converse University website said Barker was appointed as Converse University President during the 2021-2022 academic year. He was the university's 11th president. "He really had that ability to recognize talent on our campus and try to put people in positions where they could help serve our students best, and I think that is certainly the legacy that we want to carry forward from Dr. Barker," said Dr. Boone Hopkins, Converse University Interim President. Prior to being president, Barker was Provost and taught Philosophy courses at Converse, specializing in biomedical ethics and law, where his students explore a variety of ethical issues on the frontier of biomedicine as well as contemporary legal issues. But his interaction wasn't limited to faculty and those students. "Although we had limited conversations, you could just tell off the bat that he was a very loving and caring guy, not only for Converse University, but also as a person," said Jacob Crocker, a freshman. "Dr. Barker is leaving Converse University better than he found it and it doesn't surprise me because he's the kind of person that left people better than he found them," said Allen Smith, a member of the Converse University Board of Trustees. The Converse Board of Trustees held an emergency executive session early Thursday and appointed Dr. Boone Hopkins as the Interim President of Converse, effective immediately. Dr. Hopkins previously served as Converse Interim Provost, and Dr. Lienne Medford has been appointed Interim Provost for the 2021-2022 academic year. Converse is providing support and resources for those in the campus community. Converse University officials lowered flags at half-staff in memory of Dr. Barker Thursday.

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