Former Associate Dean of Students Sybil Todd passed away at age 66 Tuesday in Dallas after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to a family friend. Todd served as a dean at the University from 1977 until 1995.
"Dean Todd was a wonderful dean," former Dean of Students Bob Canevari said. "She was truly loved by the students she worked with. She had a way of helping people believe in themselves and was able to bring the best out of those individual students she worked with."
Pat Lampkin, vice president for student affairs, said Todd worked closely with First-Year Seminar and Resident Staff programs.
"She brought a lot of energy to her students," Lampkin said.
Politics Prof. Larry Sabato, who knew Todd when she was an associate dean, said Todd was an extremely popular person at the University and that she was especially helpful towards, and concerned about the safety of, young women on Grounds.
"Sybil was a marvelous dean and a very caring person who did a great deal for the students at the University," Sabato said. "She had an engaging personality and was just enormous fun to be with."
Maribeth Southworth, who graduated from the College in 1982, said she worked with Todd while serving as a member of the Resident Staff. Southworth also noted that Todd, in recent years, took her career into the realm of private industry, working with a University graduate on a home furnishings catalog.
"She was a mentor to many people," Southworth said. "She was very warm, always laughing, but then could turn on a dime and could involve you in a compelling discussion. She was a tremendous part of the U.Va. experience for a number of students."
According to Southworth, Todd was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last May and was treated at a cancer center in Houston. A memorial service will be held for Todd Saturday at 2 p.m. in Dallas.
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