LaMont Fernal Toliver

LaMont Toliver, Director of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program and Assistant Dean of Undergradute Education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, had a massive heart attack and departed this life suddenly at the university on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. He was born March 12, 1963 in Pittsburgh, PA. After the passing of his mother, LaMont grew up in foster care until adopted by Ernest and Rosezella Tennon. LaMont attended Duquesne High School where his outstanding athletic and academic abilities earned him a full scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences in Literature in 1985. LaMont also held a Master’s in Education from the University of Virginia and was pursuing his doctorate in Public Policy from UMBC. While attending VMI, he met the love of his life, Ms. Lisa Lynne Redd from Baltimore, MD, who was attending Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. They married on August 5, 1989. LaMont was a man of great faith, compassion, and a champion for education. He truly embraced the full meaning of manhood. Lamont’s family- his adoptive parents; his wife; his sons: Jacquet, Julian, Jordan and Tristian; his siblings and his wife’s parents: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Redd, all gave him the sense of family that was missing in his early life and was so important to him later in life. Among the lessons LaMont liked to pass along, not just to his students, but to others as well was this: “There are so many divisive things around us. We have a tendency to focus on what separates us when we need to focus on what unites us. We all need to believe that our involvement… whatever it is… makes a difference in someone’s life”. LaMont enjoyed spending time with his family, especially playing and watching sports with his sons. He was also and avis cook and entertainer. LaMont was a member of the following civic and fraternal organizations: *The Family Tree Foundation (Baltimore, MD) *Big Brothers and Sisters of Central Maryland (Baltimore, MD) *Holy Family Institute Board of Directors (Pittsburg, PA) *First Generation College Bound (Laurel, MD) *Project Success Mentoring Initiative (Baltimore, MD) *Life Member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Throughout his life, he was the recipient of numerous honors and awards for his leadership and service to youth. LaMont had been with UMBC for 22 years. In a letter to students and staff, University President Freeman Hrabowski writes, “LaMont’s passing is a tragic loss as well for the Meyorhoff’s Scholars Program family and the entire University community. LaMont graced us with his considerable abilities, his leadership and deep compassion, and his wisdom, wit, and determination. His example will continue to inspire us, and the strong community of scholars he loved will comfort us in the days ahead”. In addition to his mother, LaMont was preceded in death by his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Tennon. His memory will forever be engraved in the hearts of his wife Lisa of 22 years of marriage; his four sons: Jacquet of Pittsburgh, PA, Julian, Jordan and Tristan of Silver Spring, MD; and one granddaughter, Kamry. He is also survived by one brother, Ernest Tennon, Jr. of McKeesport, PA; four sisters; Jacqueline Tennon od Woodridge,VA, Ramona Wilkes of McKeesport, PA, Rhonda Wright of Pittsburgh, PA and Dr. Sharon McDaniel of Pittsburgh, PA; his biological father, William Toliver and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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LaMont Fernal Toliver

March 12, 1963 - February 28, 2012