The West Virginia University family is deeply saddened to learn of the untimely and tragic loss of Deborah Howell while vacationing in New Zealand with her husband, Peter Magrath.

Deborah was an important part of the WVU community during the year Peter was our interim president. While she continued her career as a respected journalist in Washington, she was supportive of Peter’s passion to serve WVU.

Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with our friend and colleague Peter Magrath and his wonderful family during this very difficult time. We will do whatever we can to offer them our support.

—WVU President James P. Clements

(The Washington Post story can be found here.)

(The Marlborough Express, Wellington, NZ, interview with Dr. Magrath can be found here.)

-WVU-

01/02/10

Please leave your expressions of sympathy for the Magrath-Howell family here.