Virginia Caples, who on two occasions served as interim president of Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, died on February 19 after a lengthy illness. She was 72 years old.
A native of Doddsville, Mississippi, Dr. Caples earned a bachelor degree in home economics education at what is now Alcorn State University in 1967. She went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in home economics education from Iowa State University.
Dr. Caples began her academic career at her alma mater, Alcorn State University. She then joined the faculty at Alabama A&M University and served there in many capacities for the next 40 years. She was a Distinguished University Professor and served as provost and vice president for academic affairs in addition to her two terms as interim president in 1995 and again in 2005.
Dr. Caples served as the president and chair of the board of directors of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and was president of the Association of Administrators of Human Sciences.