"She approached her responsibilities with enthusiasm and total dedication." David Ramos Chairman, UH Board of Regents

Less than a year after being diagnosed with cancer, Senior Vice President and Executive Vice Chancellor Carol Eastman died Wednesday at Queen's Medical Center. She was 55.

Eastman had been undergoing cancer treatment, and was hospitalized as recently as last week.

Even so, she had continued to work for the last several months despite her condition. University officials said Eastman presided over a meeting between UH system deans on Monday.

"Eastman had impressed all of us with the courage she demonstrated in dealing with her illness," UH President Kenneth Mortimer said in a press release. "This is a sad day for all of us."

According to Jim Manke, vice president for university relations, one of Eastman's current projects was helping draft a comprehensive strategic plan for the Manoa campus.

Carol Eastman

"Eastman's vision for the Manoa campus was always on track with the larger interests of the university system," said Board of Regents Chairman David Ramos. "She approached her responsibilities with enthusiasm and total dedication."

Eastman is credited with guiding the Manoa campus through major state budget cuts in recent years. She also advocated the expansion of degree programs on the neighbor islands.

In addition to her administrative duties, Eastman was also a professor of anthropology, specializing in linguistics.

"She was always a champion for the quality of the total student experience -- in the classroom, in the research lab, and in off-hours campus life," Ramos said.

Eastman, who previously headed graduate programs at the University of Washington, took her post at UH in August 1994. She is survived by husband John Jacobsen.

Her interim replacement is yet to be determined, Manke said.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at St. Ablan's Chapel, located on the grounds of `Iolani School where Eastman served on the Board of Directors. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to `Iolani School, 563 Kamoku St., Honolulu 96826.

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