Kay M. Harris, assistant director of counseling services passed away at Moses Cone Hospital on Sunday, March 22 following a car accident that occurred Saturday evening. According to police, a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Dwight Thompson hit Harris’ car while trying to make a left turn onto East Bragg Street. She was traveling with passenger, 24-year-old Arnitra Renee Harris who was treated at Moses Cone hospital and released. Both Harris and Thompson died from injuries.

Kay Harris had just retired from her position as the assistant director of counseling services in January after working within the Division of Student Affairs for 30 years. She was an A&T graduate and had a deep love for the university.  Her character has been described as motherly, very giving and kind. During Survival week when exams came around, Counseling Services always provides for food and a survival kit filled with snacks and motivation to get students through their tests. Harris always made the red punch served in the office during those times and will be remembered for always making sure students had what they needed.

Her kindness extended not only to students, but those who worked with her such as licensed psychologist and director of Counseling Services Vivian Barnette. Barnette, who had been working with Harris for two years, cited her old-fashioned and sufficient way of doing things a pleasure and benefit to students as well as those in the office.  “We did our jobs, but we had fun talking about various things,” Barnette said. “Whether we agreed on it or not it was just being able to work together and the work always came out top notch.”

University guidance counselor, Chandra Caple worked with Harris for 12 years, the longest of those working with her in counseling service, said that she would always remember her kindness and giving nature. She recalled how Mrs. Harris would share her food, her home and even provide transportation to those who needed it.

“The motherly part came in because for students who are away from home and don’t have family, in addition to a counseling role, sometimes we do have to be moms and sisters and she played that role well,” said Caple. “A testament to that is that every year at homecoming, those students come back and want to take her out to lunch or take her out to dinner.”

In honor of her giving nature, the Division of Student Affairs in conjunction with A&T’s Counseling Services are in the processes of forming the Acts of Kindness Fund, which will raise money for students in need.

A memorial was held in her honor on Tuesday, March 24 in Harrison Auditorium prior to the public viewings on Friday, March 27 at St. James Baptist Church and on Saturday, March 28 in Harrison Auditorium before she was laid to rest.

“She exemplified the standard that we hold here and of why we’re here for the students,” added university guidance counselor, Victoria Dalton. “It was kind of a refresher for [students] to come in and make sure that we were doing ok and we thank them for that.” 

• Stacie Bailey