Kennell A. Jackson, the only African American professor of African and African American history at Stanford University and longtime resident fellow of Branner Hall, passed away Monday, Nov. 21 in the Stanford Hospital. He suffered from pulmonary fibrosis — a serious lung disease — and lived to be 64.

Jackson influenced programs across the University. He first joined the faculty in 1969 as an assistant professor and was involved in the Program in African and African American Studies (AAAS) for 35 years, serving as AAAS Director from 1980 until 1989. He became the resident fellow in Branner in 1985 and remained in the position for the past 20 years.

A memorial service will be held for Jackson at Memorial Church in January and a memorial Web site has been created to celebrate his life.

“For Branner, he had an amazing impact over the last 25 years,” said junior MaryKate Hanlon, resident assistant in Branner. “He was so involved, though it was not always obvious.”

Hanlon stressed that Jackson was involved in everything, “no matter how minor the detail” and that his dedication was integral to Branner.

During his time at Stanford, Jackson pioneered several programs, including the Undergraduate Scholars Program (USP), which provides one-on-one mentoring and research guidance for minority and other students from faculty members, in 1986.

Jackson also originated the tradition of Faculty Night in 1970 when he was a resident fellow for Serra House in Stern Hall. Faculty Night gives students a chance to interact with faculty members by inviting them to eat in the campus dining halls for an evening.

Hanlon commented that since Jackson’s death, the Branner staff has become aware of “how big of an impact he had in programs across campus.” She said she remembered his comments at a staff meeting before Faculty Night this year, especially when the staff was deciding between paper and fabric tablecloths. Jackson said paper was fine as long as they looked nice.

“He wanted the faculty to be proud to be here,” she said. Hanlon also mentioned she only recently learned that he had developed Faculty Night and now understands why he was so involved and cared so much.

Jackson grew up in Virginia, attending segregated schools as a child. He earned a bachelor’s in biology and chemistry in 1969 from Hampton University and later won fellowships to study at UCLA, University of Ghana and Cambridge University. He earned his doctorate from UCLA in 1970.

Freshman Emily His, who lives in Branner, said she was “captivated by Jackson’s speech the first day we moved in” and enjoyed his “witty, smart humor.”

According to Hanlon, Jackson stayed full of humor until the end. She visited him in the hospital and said he was “still cracking jokes and asking about Branner.”

“He wanted to know about the capture-the-flag game two days before,” Hanlon said.

The Branner staff is hoping to organize an informal memorial or recognition for Jackson within the dorm. More details will be decided at the staff meeting tomorrow evening.

In addition to his work at Stanford, Jackson is also known for his book “America is Me: The Most Asked and Least Understood Questions About Black American History,” published in 1996. He co-edited a second book with Stanford drama professor Harry J. Elam Jr., titled “Black Cultural Traffic: Crossroads in Global Performance and Popular Culture.” The book is due out in December.

Branner resident Julia Liebner, a freshman, remembered visiting Jackson’s apartment for an ice cream social and was struck by his “amazing collection of artwork, photographs and contemporary books.”

“[His death] came as a shock to me,” she said.

The AAAS Web site sums up the sentiments felt across the Stanford campus.

“We will miss our friend, mentor, and scholar. We honor his life of service and celebrate his passion as a teacher and scholar.”