Retired professor dies Wednesday

Wilma Greene, a retired UA professor, was found dead in her car Thursday morning.

UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said Greene has been retired for several years.

According to a press release, Greene was coordinator of the UA fashion retail program for 32 years.

"She was the consummate professional and friend to her students whose Christian principles always guided both her professional and personal lives," said Milla Boschung, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences. "She was known for mentoring her students while at UA, and those relationships continued beyond graduation."

Andreen said Greene died of a gunshot wound, and it has been reported the death was a suicide. Greene was recognized with several awards during her time at the University, including the UA National Alumni Association Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award, the Penny Allen award for service and was the first recipient of both the Morris Lehman Mayer Award for integrity and leadership and the HES Joseph Rowland Teaching award.

Greene also established the Interim New York Study Tour, which allows fashion students to travel to New York to visit fashion houses and hear presentations from leaders in the New York fashion industries.

Greene helped create Retailing Day, which gives students the chance to meet and talk with business executives from several different possessions.

"She was a much-loved professor," Andreen said.