Associate Professor of Anthropology Christina Turner dies

By Mike Porter

Christina Turner, Ph.D., associate professor of anthropology in Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of World Studies and a driving force in the creation of the school, died Sunday from cancer. 

Turner joined VCU in 1994 and helped in the establishment of the school in 2003.

At VCU, Turner served on the faculty senate from 2001 to 2005 and was active in the state and national councils of the American Association of University Professors. She was a Fulbright Scholar and editor of the Middle Atlantic Council of Latin American Studies Essays from 2003 to 2006.

Dean Robert Holsworth informed faculty in the College of Humanities and Sciences of Turner’s death in an e-mail Monday afternoon.

“Dr. Turner was a popular and demanding instructor of anthropology who worked hard to help students develop their critical thinking and writing skills,” Holsworth wrote.

Other colleagues remembered her as genuinely engaged in her students’ lives and academic progress.

“She was just an incredibly dedicated and rigorous teacher,” said R. McKenna Brown, Ph.D., professor and director of the School of World Studies. “She selflessly gave time, effort and creativity to nurturing students and her impact will be felt for a long time.”

Turner’s research focused on rural communities in Latin America. She and her husband, Brian, served as Peace Corps volunteers in Paraguay from 1984 to 1986. In addition to her husband, Turner is survived by her parents, a brother and a sister.

A remembrance gathering will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Robins Room at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made toward an academic award established in Turner's name by the School of World Studies. Contributions to the 'Dr. Christina Turner Writing Award' can be made payable to the VCU Foundation, attention Lois Badey, Director of Development, College of Humanities and Sciences, P.O. Box 842019, Richmond, VA 23284-2019.