Michelle Meyers, former director of Emory's Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, died Monday, Oct. 29, of cancer. She was 51.

Meyers became director of Equal Opportunity Programs in 2008, advocating for diversity and was responsible for compliance with federal and state affirmative action regulations.

A memorial service was held Nov. 17 in Hanover, N.H.

Ozzie Harris II, senior vice provost for community and diversity, says a local service is being organized and expected to be announced later.

"Michelle was a wonderful spirit and brilliant person who will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know her," said Harris.  

"Those who knew her well, know she loved to quote and live by the principle of Mari J. Matsuda: 'It is the choices we make out of our affiliations: to welcome or exclude difference, to resolve disputes with words or with violence, to see others as rights-holders or not. Whether or not we understand ourselves through lenses of identity, we still make ethical choices about how to live with those identities. It is the choices that require critique…'"

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Prouty (The Norris County Cancer Center). Checks can be sent to: The Prouty (memo Michelle Meyers), One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.