UHCL loses distinguished professor

Hilary Jo Karp, chairman of UHCL’s psychology and fitness and human performance division and associate professor of psychology.

Courtney Brodbeck

The Signal Staff

Hilary Jo Karp, chairwoman of the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s psychology and fitness and human performance division, associate professor of psychology and revered faculty member, will be remembered for her profound impact on the lives of her students, colleagues and friends.

Karp passed away July 30, 2009, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster. She and her husband had just returned from the United Kingdom where they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

“Dr. Karp was able to have one last big adventure doing something she loved, traveling, with the person she loved so dearly, her husband,” said David Malin, professor of psychology and neuroscience.

A long time member of the UHCL faculty, Karp proved to be an invaluable asset to the university. She inspired and excited generations of students with her intellect and individuality.

Hilary Jo Karp was born in Los Angeles to Sylvia and Bernie Karp. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California-Los Angeles in 1967, a master’s degree in experimental psychology from Brandeis University in 1970, and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Chicago in 1975.

“Hilary was so passionate about teaching; she loved her students and they loved her,” said Dorothea Lerman, professor of psychology at UHCL. “She was absolutely devoted. If she was ill and couldn’t find someone to teach her course, she would refuse to cancel the lecture and insist on coming anyway. She cared that much about her students.”

Collages of memories were displayed at the memorial service in honor of Hilary Karp held Sept. 2 at UHCL.

Karp was not only a teacher but also an explorer, administrator and musician. She co-founded the Clear Lake Symphony Orchestra in 1976, was a founding member of the Women’s Studies Program, and published numerous articles on behavior analysis. She was also a prize doctoral student of world-renowned University of California psychologist, Israel Goldiamond.

“Hilary was a builder,” Malin said. “She helped develop General Psychology as one of the largest and most successful programs in the university.”

Well known for her wit, intelligence and sense of humor, Karp would, instead of ranting about those who opposed feminism, amusingly impersonate and parody them as one of those “Ladies against Women,” adds Malin.

Karp also found joy in traveling the world with her husband, Charles E. South. Her adventures took her to London, Spain, Israel, Turkey, Norway and Italy, where she immersed herself into the unique cultures and made lifelong friends. In the 1980s, Karp spent the summer with a family in Turkey and dedicated herself to understanding the culture.

One lifelong friend Karp made was Frances Fernandes, who is the principal editor and senior writer for the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States.

The two met when they were undergraduates studying for a year in Madrid, Spain, and became roommates. Karp is also the godmother to Fernandes’ daughter. Their friendship grew after Fernandes moved to Los Angeles, where Karp and her parents lived.

“We just became family,” Fernandes said. “Her parents became my daughter’s grandparents.”

Fernandes remembers walking into her home and finding presents stacked in the corner of the living room. Karp and her family had decided to throw Fernandes a baby shower since she didn’t have anything yet for her child.

“That was really typical of Hilary, to see that there was a need, to think it through, make a plan and follow through with it,” Fernandes said.

Karp’s compassionate nature also overflowed into her work, encouraging others to live up to their full potential, recalls Leslye Mize, director of UHCL’s family therapy program and a graduate student of Karp’s.

“I will always remember how fair and kind she was as a teacher and administrator; she always looked for the best in everyone,” Mize said.

A memorial was held Sept. 2 at UHCL for Karp, where colleagues, friends and family gathered to remember and share stories of how she had impacted their lives.

“Hilary’s death diminished the world that I lived in, especially how much she was able to add to that world and she added a good deal to my world,” said Bruce Palmer, dean of the school of Human Sciences and Humanities.

Though she will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her, Hilary Karp will live on through her many accomplishments and in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.