UPDATE Wednesday Feb. 13, 4:00 p.m. In an email to all liberal studies students, the university announced that Liberal Studies will be holding a memorial for Dr. Jose Vazquez on Friday March 8th at 3:30 PM in Hemmerdinger Hall in the Silver Building, 100 Washington Square East.

José Vázquez, a professor in the Liberal Studies Program, passed away last weekend due to natural causes. Vázquez was 50 years old. He was a teacher for 25 years, and began his career at NYU in 2001. In 2010, he won both the Liberal Studies Excellence in Teaching Award and the Liberal Studies Faculty Mentor Award. Vázquez taught Life Science, History of the Universe and Environmental Studies. His colleagues and students said he will be sorely missed.

Fred Schwarzbach, LSP dean:

“José was a dedicated faculty member who was utterly and completely devoted to his students. He was an inspiring teacher, always finding ways to help his students succeed, no matter how much of his time and energy it might take.”

Louis Pataki, fellow LSP science teacher:

“He was a wonderful, talented colleague and a great friend. The Liberal Studies science teachers have always been a very close team, friends as well as colleagues. José’s passing leaves each of us who knew and worked with him with a deep sense of loss.”

Lori M. Nicolas, LSP professor who Vázquez mentored:

“José truly loved teaching and cared very deeply for all the students he taught, from high school kids in Puerto Rico and the Bronx to college students in Chicago and here at NYU. Teaching science was his calling, and he was excellent at it. He was the kind of teacher, really the kind of person, that once you met him you couldn’t forget him. I remember him getting emails and visits from students that he had taught over 20 years ago.

“One thing I remember was that he was never still. He was always working on something. Writing a book, reviewing articles, serving on committees, writing textbook chapters, developing curriculum, translating teaching materials into Spanish, completing a Ph.D. and an M.P.H., and he did all this while teaching full time. ”

Edward Radzivilovskiy, LSP sophomore, student of Vázquez:

“He had a great sense of humor and he was really open. He really wanted to be a friend for all his students, and that’s something you definitely felt.

“We had really good conversations that extended beyond what we learned in the classroom. He was someone who, even though he taught science, you could talk to about anything. He should be proud of the things he’s done at NYU.”

A memorial has been planned for José Vázquez, though the date has yet to be confirmed.

(Disclaimer: Edward Radzivilovskiy is a member of the WSN staff.)

A version of this aritcle appeared in the Feb. 7 print edition. Veronica Carchedi is city/state editor. Email her at [email protected]