Ken Harrow

Ken was a kind-hearted colleague and a towering figure in African Literature and Cinema. I had the opportunity to work with him on two African Film festivals at the University of Richmond. Rest in peace my friend and thank you for what you were for many of us. Liz and family, may you find peace and consolation.

May Prof. Ken Harrow’s soul rest in peace.

Ed and I send our sympathies to Ken’s beloved family. We had the privilege of knowing him through Joe and his family in Chicago. His suffering over-May he rest in peace. And his memory be for a blessing.

Ken and Liz have been so kind to me. They welcomed me into their home, for over night stays, to save me from a very long commute to MSU. He inspired and challenged my thinking. I always enjoyed our conversations and will forever remember the beautiful music he played on his piano. I’m so very sorry Liz, what a brilliant and special man he was.

Liz. I am sorry for your loss. Stay safe and stay well.

Ken was a good friend and colleague for many years. I count myself very fortunate to have known him. He combine amazing scholarly production with the grace, generosity and humility that shared with colleagues, students, friend and family. I will miss him every day.

For many of us who came of age in organizations such as the African Literature Association and the International Comparative Literature Association, Ken Harrow was an example of a master teacher—in the sense of “he/she who teaches, learns”–and a recognized leader in our scholarly community. A fierce debater–uncompromising on matters of principle– Ken’s immense scholarly and other contributions made him become a superb and respectable “elder,” deserving of the highest recognition that various could offer him. A thoroughly dedicated, honest, and fully rounded human being, someone who always put the interests of the right thing way above his personal and other considerations, I remember this broadly cultured man, whose intellect and curiosity were just overwhelming, with nothing but genuine fondness and gratitude. His responses to questions during (especially heated) debates and the questions he usually asked said everything about him: a person of the finest mind but also one who prepared always to be on the side of the angels. Ken, miss you dear friend. ‘Bioseh (as you always called me).

I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Sending my condolences and all of my love to the Harrow family. May his memory be a blessing.

Condolences to Liz his wife and the entire family. Mwalimu Ken. You generously gave/shared with us your brilliant mind and scholarship that yielded multiple fruits for all of us to relish and thrive in. I recall your thorough and uncompromising scholarship especially in literary theory; in my case sometimes the cause of much anxiety and tension but all worthwhile, as a struggling graduate student at Michigan State University. Your work will with no doubt continue to reflect both your energy, brilliance and incredible collaboration with other scholars through your numerous publications and generous mentoring of many of today’s scholars in Afrikan Cinema, Literature, Peace Studies, Gender studies, etc al. Add your visits and scholarship residencies in Cameroon/Senegal and your active participation at both ALA/ASA conferences and related publications. You earnestly secured your legacy Mwalimu Ken.

Kuria Githiora, Ruiru, Kenya

Ken’s energy, intellect, enthusiasm and commitment were an inspiration to me. I’m sure many of his colleagues were better scholars and teachers as a result of the example he set. I doubt we’ll see his kind again in higher education. And he and Liz were hands-down the most kind and gracious hosts in all the area. My condolences to his large and loving family.

We send condolences to Liz and family. Ken and I were colleagues in the Department of Humanities for many years. He was a wonderful man!

Bill and Linda Schoenl

When the announcement was made that Professor Ken Harrow and I would be joint recipients of the 2023 ASA Distinguished Africanist Award, I had little idea what a blessing had been bestowed on us. A door opened to what became, in a few months, a deep professional and personal friendship.

Over 30 of our colleagues and former students shared reminiscences at a dinner-reception on November 30, 2023. Ken’s wonderful wife, Liz, listened to the glowing tributes.

While Ken has left us physically, the virtues he evinced will persist. In an Initiative being launched on Access to Learning and Knowledge, the Harris-Joseph bond will be manifested. His generous bequest to establish the Ken Harrow Film Fund at ASA will yield blooms on the tree of love, learning, and fellowship he cultivated all his life.

Richard Joseph