Michael L. Harrington

Michael Louis Harrington
1944-2007

Dr. Michael Harrington, a long-time member of the Mississippi Philosophical Association, died in his sleep this week while visiting family in Oregon. Though he battled heart disease for many years, he had been in relatively good health and good spirits. He had been enjoying his retirement in the last year and a half by traveling, hiking, occasionally teaching a class, and writing a novel.

Michael Harrington earned his B.A. degree in philosophy from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1966. He then earned his M.A. degree in 1969 and his Ph.D. in philosophy in 1972 from Emory University. He came to the University of Mississippi in 1970 and retired in May 2006. He served as Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion from 1991 to 2005. Michael had been an effective teacher and advocate of the academic study of both philosophy and religion for 36 years at the University of Mississippi (almost one-fourth of the university's history).

Through his work on the Mississippi Humanities Council he also promoted the humanities in our state for many years. Michael had a love of ideas for their own sake, but he also was dedicated to making philosophy relevant to everyday ethical concerns. He disseminated philosophy not only in the classroom and in professional papers, but in newspaper opinion pieces as well. For many years he served as an ethics consultant to regional hospitals.

I will always remember him for his engaging, wry wit. I could not talk to him very long without him making me laugh. It was his humor and sense of philosophical perspective that kept him on top of his personal medical problems and that kept the rest of us on top of the challenges that faced the department over the years. He had a zest for life, but also a Socratic detachment that gave him a deep sense of peace. It would be hard to measure the impact he has had on our department, the university, and the state.

At this time, funeral arrangements are incomplete and are being made by Coleman Funeral Home in Oxford.

Bill Lawhead, Chair
Department of Philosophy and Religion

Official University announcement:

Retired Professor Harrington Dies, Arrangements Announced

10/06/2007 OXFORD, Miss. - Michael Louis Harrington of Oxford, retired University of Mississippi professor and administrator, passed away this week while visiting in Portland, Ore. Harrington, 63, was born in Portland.

He joined the Ole Miss faculty as assistant professor of philosophy in 1970 and retired last year as professor emeritus. He served as chairman of the Department of Philosophy and Religion from 1999 to 2005. A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday in Paris-Yates Chapel. A reception is to follow at the Harrington home, 217 Colonial Road. Arrangements are being handled by Coleman Funeral Home in Oxford.

UM faculty and staff fondly remember Harrington as a colleague and friend. "Mike Harrington was a much loved member of the university faculty and Oxford community," said Chancellor Robert Khayat. "He and his family have enhanced our lives in a variety of ways. The university mourns his loss and extends our heartfelt sympathy to his wonderful family." Glenn Hopkins, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said, "Michael Harrington was an important part of this university for over 30 years. A dedicated and popular teacher, he influenced generations of students, and, as an administrator, he led his department with good sense and an unfailing dedication to improving the education of students here. This university is better because of him. He will be greatly missed, especially by those of us who knew him well and were fortunate enough to call him friend."

Because of Harrington's leadership and vision, the Department of Philosophy and Religion grew from fewer than three faculty members in the 1970s to its current eight members, and is still growing, according to William F. Lawhead, department chair. "Michael had a love of ideas for their own sake, but he also was dedicated to making philosophy relevant to everyday ethical concerns," Lawhead said. "He disseminated philosophy not only in the classroom and in professional papers, but in newspaper opinion pieces as well. I will always remember him for his engaging, wry wit. I could not talk to him very long without him making me laugh. "It was his humor and sense of philosophical perspective that kept him on top of his personal medical problems and that kept the rest of us on top of the challenges that faced the department over the years. He had a zest for life, but also a Socratic detachment that gave him a deep sense of peace." Harrington played an important role in the formation of the UM's Center for the Study of Southern Culture. Through his work on the Mississippi Humanities Council, he promoted the humanities across the state for many years. A graduate of Davidson College, Harrington completed both his master's and Ph.D. at Emory University.

Harrington is survived by his wife, Mary Mathison Harrington; two daughters, Elizabeth Harrington and Emily Harrington; and two brothers, Peter Harrington of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Lee Harrington of Washington, D.C. Memorials can be made to the Heifer Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

by Elaine F. PughNewsdesk Story #6491