Remembering Carol Harmon

A Message from CAHSS Dean Scott E. Casper

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Carol Clopein Harmon. Carol touched many lives with her kindness and wonderful sense of humor in her eighteen years as an administrative assistant at UMBC. She was born and raised in Catonsville and had a strong love of family and faith. The UMBC community was brightened by Carol’s presence and our thoughts are with her family at this time of grief.


Carol’s work exemplified the fact that administrative assistants are what truly makes a department or program work at UMBC. She was diligent, knew the campus inside and out, and graciously shared her expertise with her colleagues. Carol loved to travel and took many trips with the Ancient Studies Department and a close cohort of friends over the years. While Carol was afraid of flying, she never allowed that to dampen her sense of adventure and her love of new people and places. Carol loved the Beatles, especially Paul McCartney, the Baltimore Ravens, and her community at Salem Lutheran Church. Her love and kindness knew no bounds and were freely expressed. 


Carol loved her family most of all, and through her stories, we all came to know her beloved husband Bill, her son Billy and daughter Kris, and her five grandchildren. Her faith and her love for her family were the defining aspects of her character.


Carol Harmon was hired as the administrative assistant in the Department of American Studies in 2001 and retired from full-time work in the Department in 2015. She was and will always be a beloved member of the American Studies family. Through many changes in leadership in the Department over the years, Carol was the glue that held things together. Carol returned to UMBC in 2015 to work part-time as an administrative assistant for the Center for Innovation Research and Creativity in the Arts (CIRCA), Judaic Studies, and Global Studies. She effectively served all three programs, a balancing act that showed ample evidence of her administrative talents. At CIRCA Carol’s knowledge and mentorship to the Director built a strong foundation for the success of that new Arts center. 


Carol was also a beloved member of our family in the Fine Arts building. She planned to retire from UMBC at the end of December. She will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and loved her. Carol Harmon was one of a kind. We will miss her warm smile, her jokes, her musical laughter, and her unending compassion.


Carol passed away Wednesday, November 27. The funeral services were held Saturday, November 30 at at Salem Lutheran Church in Catonsville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wounded Warriors Project or Salem Lutheran Church in Carol’s name.

Posted: December 13, 2019, 12:08 PM

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