Teresa A. Summers, described by Laura Lindsay as “the epitome of a faculty member at LSU in every way,” died in Baton Rouge on Saturday at age 60, according to a news release from the LSU System Office. Summers, retired LSU System assistant vice president for Academic Affairs and human ecology professor, died after a 38-year battle with cancer according to the release.”She was an incredible colleague and a dear friend that had a huge impact on many facets of the University,” said Lindsay, mass communication professor and former provost. “She cared deeply about her students.”Summers was an expert in apparel merchandising, development of marketing techniques and Internet promotional strategies, according to the release. In 2001 she was named Louisiana Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.She retired in May after a 33-year career at the University. William Jenkins, System president emeritus, said Summers spent the majority of her career at the University before moving on to the System.”[She was] an absolutely superb professor,” Jenkins said. “She loved her students, and she was admired by her colleagues … She was a consumate professional in every way.”Summers worked in close conjunction with the Board of Regents to ensure all campuses in the System had representation in the Regents during her tenure at the System, according to the release, Summers served as division head of textiles, apparel design and merchandising in human ecology department for seven years beginning in 1994.”She’s going to be sorely missed at LSU,” Jenkins said. “She’s going to be missed, and I’m just sorry that she dealt with such a devastating disease for the amount of time [that she did].”—-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]