Passing of Prem Paul
Last Friday, our dear friend Prem Paul, long-serving vice chancellor for research and economic development at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, died, surrounded by family. He was 68.
Prem speaking at a UNL event in 2012. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communications, UNL
The UIDP exists because of people like Prem; people who have been so willing to trust our organization can help them in the work they do, and have made the time to get involved. I have gained so much personally and professionally from Prem’s involvement in the UIDP, and feel honored and blessed to have known him. I know many other members of the UIDP family will feel the same way.
Those of you who attended UIDP22, which was hosted by UNL in Lincoln earlier this year, will have seen and spoken to Prem at the meeting. We were able to celebrate his involvement and support of the UIDP community at the meeting by passing a special commendatory resolution to recognize Prem’s support and leadership to the UIDP since our founding, and his leadership, dedication to service and industrious advocacy of University-Industry partnerships within both the UNL and broader U-I communities.
Ryan Anderson, Prem’s colleague, sent a note to me last week explaining that this commendation “…meant a great deal to [Prem]. I know this, because he promptly made room for it on his office wall, had it reframed, then returned to its place.”
On behalf of the UIDP, I wish Prem’s family, friends and colleagues in the UNL community our heartfelt condolences.
Read Prem’s UNL Obituary here. A memorial fund, the Prem S. Paul Fund for Research Excellence, has been established at the University of Nebraska Foundation. For more information on the fund, call 402.458.1100.
