Phyllis Gray, a UNI doctoral student, passed away on Nov. 2, according to an email from Paula Knudson, the vice president of student affairs.

Gray was raised on the south side of Chicago but lived in northeast Iowa for most of her life. Gray worked with the Upward Bound program at Luther College for 40 years.

According to the Upward Bound website, it is a federally funded program that provides opportunities for high school students who are from low-income families or families in which neither parent has a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is enroll high school students in college and have them graduate on time.

According to her obituary, Gray received her undergraduate degree in Speech and Theater from Luther College in 1973 and her Masters of Education in Children’s Theater from UNI in 1984. Gray taught English and Social Studies at Logan Jr. High in Waterloo.

Knudson’s email went on to say that Gray will receive a posthumous doctorate at the December graduation ceremony.

A service was held on Nov. 11 in Decorah and a second service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. at Luther College.