The University of Texas at El Paso’s students, faculty and staff commemorated the life and career of Maceo Crenshaw Dailey, Jr., Ph. D. At Magoffin Auditorium on Monday, Oct. 26. Dailey spent close to 10 years in El Paso and at UTEP, where he founded the African American Studies Program for which he acted as the first chair. He passed away on Oct. 11, 2015 at the age of 72.
More than a dozen speakers took turns on stage to talk about Dailey and the impact he had on their and other’s lives. From students, to professors, to administrators and community members, Dailey’s impact around the El Paso community was apparent through people’s anecdotes, descriptions and music.
It was UTEP President Diana Natalicio who took the stage first, after a musical performance, recalling their shared love for baseball, the first time he visited her at the Hoover House and the incomparable gift he gave her.
“He, in his inimitable way, very modestly presented me with a baseball, which made my jaw drop. It was signed by Hank Aaron,” Natalicio said. “He was admired and loved by a broad range of students and colleagues across our campus…His passing represents a huge loss for all of us.”
After earning his doctorate at Howard University, Dailey taught at nine universities, including New York University and Boston College, before coming to El Paso.
In El Paso, the Baltimore native was the chairman of the board of directors of the McCall Neighborhood Center—the prominent gathering spot for the African-American community in El Paso. He also served as a board member of the Child Crisis Center, the El Paso Symphony, the Twelve Travelers Memorial of the Southwest committee, Burnham Charter School and the Texas School Festival.
Dailey also played a fundamental role in the creation of the UTEP Community Gospel Choir. The choir performed during the ceremony.
“I don’t know if El Paso, certainly in the African-American community, but in the whole El Paso community, fully appreciates or will be fully appreciative of what he contributed in his life to our community,”said Sandra Braham, CEO of the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region, in the El Paso Times. “I think when it is time to try to fill the void that his passing has left is when most people will realize and appreciate the impact Dr. Dailey has had in our community.”
During the many speeches given throughout the night, one of the most mentioned characteristics of Dailey’s was his care and involvement with students. John Trujillo, senior history major, spoke on behalf of the Black Student Union, one of the many organizations on campus with which Daley worked closely.
“Dr. Dailey was the smartest person I ever met,” Trujillo said. “He always made time to talk, even if it meant taking a break from his work and he was always in a cheerful mood.”
Dailey worked with several other organizations on campus such as ARISE (Academic Revival of Indigenous Studies and Education). The organization that was started with the goal of helping UTEP students learn about indigenous cultures, history and current events, while also helping indigenous students with scholarships and personal support. The group was also represented at the event through a letter written by one of its members.
Dailey was spoken highly of throughout the night and described with words like unassuming, generous with time and ideas and gentle spirit. Speakers also said he was a great motivator to his peers and his students, he worked deeply and tirelessly for others and was committed to the development of young people.
His impact on UTEP and the El Paso community as a whole was highlighted by students, family, friends and peers, and according to all of those in attendance will continue to live on into the future.
“He would not want us to be sad or mope around,” Trujillo said. “Dr. Dailey would want us to remember his legacy and all that he achieved. He would want us to hold on to everything that he has taught us, both in and out of the classroom. Lastly, and most importantly, he’d want us to continue to work hard in whatever we might be trying to achieve, and the minute we think about giving up remember he’d want us to keep pushing forward.”
Luis Gonzalez may be reached at [email protected].
