John McClain Jr., PhD, a passionate advocate for students and strong promoter of pathway programs, died Aug. 1 in Omaha. He was 77.
Dr. McClain spent 24 years at UNMC (July 1985 to June 2009) in a variety of roles, from chief student affairs officer to associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and graduate studies – a position he held from 2004 to 2007. He also spent time at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute as an associate professor, consultant and director of MMI’s social work department.
“Dr. McClain was a passionate advocate for UNMC students and a strong promoter of diverse pathway programs for underserved students who sought to become health professionals,” said Bob Bartee, retired vice chancellor for external relations, who worked alongside Dr. McClain. “He was one of the key players who built MMI into a powerful force in the provision of diagnosis, care and outreach to children with developmental disabilities.
“John was engaged in the community and a savvy interpreter of current trends as represented by cultural indicators in movies, music and literature. He leaves a strong academic and personal legacy among his colleagues, family and friends.”
In 2002, Dr. McClain was on hand when then-UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, MD, signed a milestone agreement for a student and faculty exchange with Dillard University. It was one of several affiliation agreements Dr. McClain helped secure during his tenure. That work set the stage for the formation of the now-defunct Virginia-Nebraska Alliance, an academic and research partnership founded in September 2004.
Dr. McClain is remembered for his commitment in helping address workforce issues and for creating opportunities for all students to pursue health care careers.
Walter Brooks, past media specialist with then-UNMC Public Affairs, said: “I knew him to be a major academic and student affairs development strategist and mentor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as well as a specialist in the field of disabilities at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute. He was the first African American to be named a Fellow at the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation in the field of disabilities.”
Dr. McClain is survived by his wife, Cindy Van Riper, a dietitian at MMI until her retirement.
Private family remembrances will be scheduled in New York and Rhode Island.