In Memoriam: Yeworkwha Belachew, 1952-2017

Yeworkwha Belachew, former assistant dean, ombudsperson and founder of the Dialogue Center at Oberlin College, died on June 14 after a long illness. She was 65 years old.

Belachew was a native of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She came to the United States and earned a bachelor’s degree at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. In 1978 she was hired by Oberlin College as a residence hall director. She was appointed assistant dean of residential life in 1989 and interim director of residential life in 1998.

In 2000, Belachew was named the inaugural ombudsperson at the college. She retired in 2015. A staff award was named in her honor as was the Center for Dialogue, which she founded.