HARRISBURG HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL EVANGELINE L. KIMBER PASSES AWAY
Harrisburg, PA – Stephen R. Reed announced tonight with great sadness the passing of Ms. Evangelene L. Kimber, beloved Principal for the past seven years of Harrisburg High School. She passed away at 11:55 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 15) at Osteopathic Hospital.
According to Ms. Kimber’s immediate family, she left school early on Friday, September 12, feeling unwell and was conscious when taken to the hospital later that day. At that time, according to the family, she was still "Kimber, whom we all know and love … but throughout the weekend, her condition progressively worsened, and with her family at her bedside, she passed late this evening."
"No one could have served the School District and the students of Harrisburg High School with any more dignity, passion and dedication than did Evangelene Kimber," said Mayor Reed. "Our loss of Ms. Kimber is tremendously significant not only to her students and faculty but to us all in Harrisburg. Her legacy will live on in our hearts and minds."
Ms. Kimber, or "Kimber" as she preferred to be called, served selflessly and was revered and respected by her students and the faculty and administration of the District, said Mayor Reed. She demanded and inspired respect and yet maintained a personal relationship with her students, knowing each of the 1500 students at the John Harris Campus of Harrisburg High School by first name. Many students regarded her as a confidante when in times of stress, added Mayor Reed.
Ms. Kimber was a faithful Cougar fan who never missed a game or a special event, added Mayor Reed. Her school spirit served as an inspiration to her students. She was also devoted to the Jr. ROTC program.
After graduating from Harrisburg High School in 1974, Ms. Kimber attended C.W. Post College in Long Island, New York, graduating in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education.
Before joining the Harrisburg School District Administration, Ms. Kimber taught in several local districts in the Capital Area Intermediate Unit, including the Harrisburg School District. She also received her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Shippensburg University.
Since August 1996, Ms. Kimber served in a variety of teaching and administrative appointments, including Saturday School Instructor, Summer School Teacher, and Summer School Principal. She also served as Assistant to the Women’s Varsity Track Coach for several seasons.
Before accepting a position at Harrisburg High School, Ms. Kimber served as Principal at the now defunct Baton-Felton Academy and Assistant Principal at the William Penn Intermediate School (now the CTA/ACTS campus of Harrisburg High School at the William Penn Campus).
In 1999, Ms. Kimber became Assistant Principal at Harrisburg High School. She became Acting Principal on January 4, 2001, and was appointed as Principal on June 26 of that same year.
As Principal, Ms. Kimber oversaw the reform of a high school that had deteriorated into a chaotic and unsafe environment. After re-establishing order and security, she worked closely with the new administrative team, including Superintendent Dr. Gerald W. Kohn and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Julie Botel to revamp the curriculum and establish the small learning communities that are now serving students well at the high school level. During her tenure, graduation rates more than doubled and college admission rates improved by 383 percent, said Mayor Reed.
During the expansion and remodeling of the John Harris Campus, Ms. Kimber oversaw every detail with precise attention to preserving the historic integrity of the architecture of the original 1926 building, and ensuring that the addition complemented the original structure, said Mayor Reed. She insisted on more than doubling the size of the school library, which she viewed as an important after-school resource for all students. She also contributed significantly to the important considerations concerning the educational benefits of the new design. All of these efforts assisted the design team in creating a state-of-the-art facility that rivals many of today’s college campuses.
"As an alumna of the Harrisburg School District and native of Harrisburg, Ms. Kimber understood her students and our community with a keen personal understanding and extraordinary perception," said Superintendent Kohn. "She was also a brilliant educator and administrator whom many other urban districts attempted to recruit. She never lost focus on Harrisburg, however, where her heart always belonged, and we were fortunate to have her serve as a teacher and as Principal for as many years as she was able to give to us."
The family of Evangelene Kimber would like to thank all those who showed their love and support through prayers, calls, and well-wishes. They regret that early reports in the media contained misinformation about her condition. According to the family, they also extend thanks to "Mayor Reed, the Harrisburg School District, and the community at large. They also wish to extend thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and other staff at Community General Hospital, especially those in the Intensive Care Unit and Community General Security."
Additionally, reported Mayor Reed, the family wished to extend these sentiments: "To all the students and former students of ‘Kimberland’ and the Harrisburg School District, let the whistle continue blowing through you. Be all you can be. Make Ms. Kimber proud."
Mayor Reed said that the family will soon be announcing funeral arrangements.
Reed said, "We are stunned at what has happened from Friday to now, all of it unexpected. A vibrant, leading light of our City has left us. But her spirit will live on, in all of us, and with the students and the faculty and administrators she loved and served. God has called her Home but she shall always be in our hearts, our minds, our thoughts and our work in this school district and City. Her spirit will forever pervade the halls of Harrisburg High School and the John Harris Campus where she devoted these final years of a remarkable life and career."
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