Longtime employee, teaching assistant, student Carroll dies at 65

Charles “Chuck” Carroll, longtime Harvard Division of Continuing Education (DCE) employee and a Harvard graduate, died on May 21, after succumbing to a rare blood disease. He was 65.

Carroll served in many capacities at DCE over a 22-year span. He began in 1985 as a casual employee, eventually moving into a regular staff assistant position in 1990. He held positions in DCE’s Information Services, Facilities, and Transcripts departments, as well as in the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement; his final position was as DCE mailroom supervisor.

“I worked with Chuck for nearly 16 years and have enjoyed all of it,” said Pat Shea, manager of building operations.

Carroll, while in his 40s, earned both his A.A. and A.L.B. from the Harvard Extension School. He then went on to earn the M.T.S. from the Harvard Divinity School (‘90) and, taking advantage of the University’s tuition assistance plan, the M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (‘00). “What was most remarkable about Chuck Carroll was his personal commitment to his own continuing education,” said Michael Shinagel, dean of Continuing Education. “He may well be one of just a few Harvard employees to earn four Harvard degrees while working here at Harvard.”

Carroll also served as teaching assistant in several popular Harvard Extension School courses. History instructor Donald Ostrowski said, “As a TA for my courses on world history, Chuck was deeply concerned about the students and their ability to write better. He brought to the courses a wonderful knowledge of the varieties of religious experience.”

It was Carroll’s dream to have a scholarship fund set up for those seeking a college education, especially because he was the first member of his own family to attend college. To this end, friends and colleagues have established a scholarship fund in Carroll’s memory for deserving Harvard Extension School A.A./A.L.B. candidates. Memorial donations may be made to the Chuck Carroll Memorial Scholarship Fund, attn: Ruth Faris, Harvard Extension School, 51 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138. Checks should be made out to Harvard Extension School and have “Carroll Scholarship Fund” added in the lower-left memo area.

An informal memorial service has been planned for June 14 at 5 p.m., Grossman Common Room, 51 Brattle St., Cambridge.