February 2008

In Memoriam

Avery Delano Andrews
Avery Delano Andrews, GW professor emeritus of history who served for many years as assistant dean in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, died on Nov. 3 at the age of 80. During a GW career that spanned from 1965 until his retirement in 2003, Andrews taught early modern European history and historical methodology. He also served as president of Friends of the Gelman Library.

Andrews graduated from Harvard College and served in the Army at the end of World War II. He received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and practiced in Philadelphia for several years before returning to earning a doctorate in history at Penn in 1961.

Marcella Brenner
Marcella Brenner, longtime GW professor and founder of the University’s program in museum education, died Dec. 25 at the age of 95. She lived in Chevy Chase, Md.

A Baltimore native, Brenner received a diploma from Maryland State Teachers College, an undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a master’s degree in sociology from American University.

After receiving her doctorate in education from GW in 1964, Brenner joined the University as a faculty member. In 1974, she founded GW’s master’s degree program in museum education. She retired as director of the program in 1983. Brenner also founded the Morris Louis Scholarship to support GW art students in memory of her second husband, artist Morris Louis.

Stephen Prussing
Stephen Prussing, former director of choral activities and lecturer at GW, died Sept. 13. Prussing, who was 83, lived in La Jolla, Calif. Prussing directed the music program at Washington, D.C.’s New York Avenue Presbyterian Church from 1950 to 1988. He retired from GW in 1989.

A native of Los Angeles, Prussing graduated from Occidental College, did postgraduate work at Julliard, and received a doctorate from Catholic University. Throughout his career, Prussing served as music director for multiple organizations and as vice president of the School Concerts of Greater Washington and the D.C. Federation of Music Clubs.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu