Walter J. Leonard, American college admission officer, Died at 86

Walter J. Leonard was born on October 3, 1929, and died on December 8, 2015.

He was American college admission officer at Harvard University.

Leonard was a native of Alma, Georgia.

He attended the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.

His parents were Francis Leonard and Rachel Kirkland.

Walter served as president of Fisk University from 1977 to 1984 and assistant dean and assistant director of admissions of Harvard Law School in 1969.

He was also assistant director of admissions at Harvard Law School and then special assistant to the President, Derek Bok of Harvard University.

Lenard was credited with being a major force in the racial diversity of the student body at Harvard.

Walter was also the founding chair of Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research.

In 1983, Walter J. Leonard resigned, he wrote prolifically, taught and served on numerous boards.

He left behind his wife, the former Betty Singleton, and a daughter, Angela M. Leonard.

Walter J. Leonard passed away at 86 yrs old on December 8, 2015 due to Alzheimer’s disease.