Former senior special assistant to the chancellor and Madison community leader LaMarr Billups died Friday at his home in Virginia.
Billups served as special assistant from 1996 to 2007 under chancellors David Ward and John Wiley, managing relations between the university and local governments. He left to accept a similar position at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Colleagues told the Wisconsin State Journal Billups was a passionate member of the university, as well as the greater Madison area, who was always willing to help the community.
One of his major contributions at both universities was his work to curb the use of sweatshops where collegiate-licensed apparel is manufactured.
Billups also participated on numerous boards of directors for the university, including the Overture Center for the Arts and the Urban League of Greater Madison.
The university has not yet released details about a memorial service.
