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INDIANAPOLIS - Joseph Thomas Taylor, IUPUI dean emeritus and the first dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, died Saturday, Sept. 23.

Taylor, who earned his doctorate from Indiana University in 1952, retired in 1984 as professor emeritus of sociology and dean emeritus of the School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI.

"Dr. Joseph Taylor was one of the giants of education in our university and our community," IUPUI Chancellor Gerald Bepko said. "His legacy of high achievement will be sustained in all the thousands of people whose lives he touched, and we will create a fitting memorial to his greatness here at IUPUI."

Taylor could be called one of the architects of the integration of Indianapolis public schools, U.S. District Court Judge S. Hugh Dillin said. In 1973 Dillin appointed Taylor as one of two commissioners to assist school officials in the desegregation of schools.

"He didn't take any flack from anybody. He just did his job," Dillin said Monday of Taylor's work on a project that faced opposition from people who thought schools should remain segregated by race.

Taylor's death is a loss to the community, the judge said.

"He has been an outstanding citizen and has done a lot for Indianapolis, in education, particularly," Dillin said. "We'll miss him."

Taylor, listed in the 1988-89 edition of "Who's Who in America," had been associated with Indiana University for more than 30 years. He joined the Indiana University faculty in 1962 as associate professor of sociology at what was then the IU extension in downtown Indianapolis. He was appointed dean of the downtown campus in 1967 and played a major role in implementing Indiana University and Purdue University trustee boards' directives in the merger creating the IUPUI campus in 1969.

The Mississippi native was promoted to professor of sociology in 1970, and was dean of the IU School of Liberal Arts from 1972 to 1978. Taylor then served as special assistant to the vice president from 1978-1983. He was appointed dean and professor emeritus in 1983 and had remained active in campus affairs after retiring.

For more than a decade, The Joseph Taylor Symposium sponsored by the School of Liberal Arts, has honored Taylor and his contributions to IUPUI and the Indianapolis community. The annual event hosts informed discussions on events and issues of concern among the African-American community. Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell spoke at last year's symposium that addressed challenges and opportunities that Indianapolis and other cities face as they embrace cultural diversity.

"We are not accustomed to setting aside time for public discussion of some critical issues unless something comes to a crisis," which rarely results in a true resolution, Taylor said prior to the 2000 symposium held in February. "You can think in a crisis, but you don't bring enough information to a social issue in a one-night meeting."

Taylor earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois. Prior to moving to Indianapolis to work at Flanner House in 1957, Taylor taught at Dillard University in New Orleans, Albany State College in Georgia, and Florida A & M University.

As a teaching fellow at Florida A & M, he was a field investigator for the Carnegie-Myrdal study: "The Negro in American - An American Dilemma." The study was one of the first to focus on race relationships between African-Americans and the white majority.

Taylor's work at IUPUI included serving as director of the Black Clergy Leaders, a campus educational community outreach program that provided managerial and organizational assistance and training to local ministers who had not attended seminary.

His public and community service over the years included working with Blue Cross of Indiana, the Indianapolis Urban League, Indianapolis Rotary, Marion County Council on the Aging, Metropolitan YMCA, the NAACP, United Way of Central Indiana, and the Madame Walker Urban Life Center.

Calling for Dr. Taylor will be from 5 - 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 at the Broadway United Methodist Church, 609 E. 29th St. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the church.

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