Wooster mourns the passing of Henry Copland, former president of the College
Henry Copeland, former president of the College, passed away on June 24, 2026, in Asheville, North Carolina, at the age of 90. Serving as president for nearly two decades, Copeland led the College through its formative years.
Copeland joined The College of Wooster in 1966 as a professor of history after earning a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and completing graduate studies in modern European history at Cornell University. Over the next decade, he served as dean of students, associate dean, and dean of the faculty before becoming the College’s ninth president in 1976. He was formally inaugurated in October 1977.
During his inaugural address, accessible through the College’s Special Collections and titled “A Place Apart,” Copeland outlined a vision for the College that would guide his presidency. He described Wooster as “an autonomous center of ideas, values, and standards” and encouraged the institution to remain committed to a collegial academic community, institutional independence, rigorous standards, liberal learning, and attention to the life of the spirit.
“A place apart” became a defining theme of Copeland’s leadership. He argued that a liberal arts college should prepare students for thoughtful citizenship by cultivating intellectual curiosity, critical reflection, and independent inquiry while remaining engaged with the broader world. In his address, he emphasized that the College should continue to challenge ideas, encourage scholarship, and preserve an environment where learning could flourish.
During Copeland’s presidency from 1976 to 1995, the College expanded its academic offerings and invested in new academic and residential facilities. The College’s endowment tripled, strengthening financial support for future generations of students. The Ohio Light Opera also was established on campus during his tenure, growing into a nationally recognized summer program. Copeland also helped establish the NCAC (North Coast Athletic Conference) chapter, furthering Wooster’s athletics.
Copeland and his wife, Laura “Lolly” Harper Copeland, also left a lasting mark on campus life. Together they welcomed students, faculty, alumni, and visitors while overseeing the planting of hundreds of oak and maple trees across campus.
Following his retirement as president in 1995, Copeland returned to the classroom to teach French history before retiring from the College in 1997. His career at Wooster spanned more than three decades as a faculty member, administrator, and president.
Copeland’s vision for liberal arts education continues to resonate across the College. In the closing words of A Place Apart, he expressed his hope that Wooster would remain “a collegial community, independent, devoted to rigorous standards of craftsmanship, a place of the mind and spirit.”
The family, who will gather for a private service in his honor, suggests that donations in his memory be sent to the Copeland Fund for Independent Study at The College of Wooster at 1189 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691.
Copeland’s full obituary is available here.
Posted in News on July 15, 2026.
