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The Death of George Parks

September 17, 2010

To the Campus Community,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we write to inform you that George Parks, director of our Minuteman Marching Band, died last night while traveling with his beloved students in Ohio in preparation for this weekend's football game in Michigan.

This is an extraordinary loss. George's devotion to excellence, his creativity and his passion for teaching inspired us all and shaped the lives of thousands of students during the three decades that he directed The Power and Class of New England. Truly, he represented the best of UMass.

We extend our deepest sympathies to George's family, his legion of friends and everyone associated with the band. In the coming days, we will share additional information as plans develop to honor George. Updates will be posted on the UMass homepage.

Let us all pull together in the coming days and demonstrate the spirit that George exemplified with such pride for so many years.

Robert C. Holub
Chancellor

James V. Staros
Provost