On March 22, Ellen Whitener, university professor and InterVarsity trustee, had her home-going. She died of cerebral meningitis shortly after seeking medical attention.
At the memorial service in Charlottesville, Virginia, a packed church of family, friends, and university colleagues remembered her in grief and joy. She was 47 years old.
I was in Seattle on a donor visitation trip when I received the news of Ellen’s sudden illness and death. As I flew east, I pondered: how could someone so vigorous pass away so quickly? A cancer survivor, Ellen was mentally tough and in great physical shape. I inquired of the Lord: how can someone so respected, loved, and needed be gone from our midst?
Most of all, though, my emotion was one of personal loss. There was just something so wonderful about her spirit. I will miss her listening ear, measured advice, and pure heart. Rarely have I witnessed such a rare blend of humility, piety, and intellect.
Ellen’s involvement with the Fellowship began as a freshman at Duke. She became a small group leader and served for three summers on the work crew at Cedar Campus in Michigan. These experiences had a profound impact on her as she pursued graduate studies and assumed faculty positions in the university.
When, later in life, she became a professor and senior associate dean at the University of Virginia, she became active in support of InterVarsity’s undergraduate chapter. She also was quite proud to be part of our Graduate and Faculty Ministries. In 2002, she joined InterVarsity’s Board of Trustees and was elected vice chair this year. I was looking forward to working under her when she eventually would take up the chair’s gavel.
The memorial service itself was a rich symbol of InterVarsity’s mission. About a quarter of the participants were students, staff, and professors. Many came not because of her Christian commitment but rather because of their deep respect for her impact in other aspects of university and community life. It was obvious during the singing of hymns that many were relatively uncomfortable within the confines of a church. But there they were, giving tribute to this marvelous woman and the Lord who guided her life.
From its beginnings under Thomas Jefferson’s patronage, the University of Virginia has prided itself on maintaining a “wall of separation” between church and state. Yet Ellen’s winsome persona somehow pierced that wall. Agnostic colleagues and students knew that she was a disciple of Jesus and were drawn to her anyway. Her boss, dean of the McIntire School of Commerce, noted that classes had been cancelled—an unprecedented move—so that faculty, staff, and students could attend the service of someone they so respected and loved.
Ellen lived out her faith in so many ways. As senior associate dean, she humbly served faculty, staff, and students. As a scholar, she authored a wide variety of significant articles on subjects such as trust and training. As a volunteer, she served on the boards of a hospice, a theatre, and a Christian study center. As a parishioner, she led worship and was a member of her church’s finance committee. As a citizen, she served as a member of the personnel review board for the city of Charlottesville. What a role model for us all!
