A member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents jumped to her death Tuesday - Ann Arbor, MI - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents jumped to her death Tuesday from the eighth-floor of the Burton Tower on campus, police said.

Sarah Goddard Power, 51, was dead on arrival at University Hospital, said Capt. Harold Rady of the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Rady said police knew of no notes left behind and had no explanation for Power's apparent suicide.

Power was among the university officials present Monday when UM President Harold Shapiro and the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced an agreement to boost representation of blacks on campus before more than 4,000 cheering students, faculty members and others in Hill Auditorium.

In 1980-81, Power was deputy assistant secretary of state for human rights and social affairs for the State Department. She previously served on the New York City Commission for the United Nations, as well as holding a number of other positions with the United Nations. She also was an administrative assistant to former New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller.

An assistant to Shapiro said Power recently had health problems but it was believed she had recovered.

Rady said at least one witness saw Power enter the bell tower. Another witness reported seeing her jump eight floors to her death.

When police arrived, Power was lying on the ground in front of the tower. After administering first aid, officers took her to the campus hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

'There appears to be no sign of any foul play,' Rady said. 'Our investigation convinces us she did this on her own.'

Power was elected to her first eight-year term as regent in 1974 and re-elected in 1982.

Survivors include her husband, Phil Power, and a son, Nathan.

Phil Power is owner and chairman of Suburban Communications Corp., which publishes several weekly newspapers. He also was an unsuccessful candidate for the GOP nomination for Senate several years ago.

Power received her bachelor's degree from Vassar and a master's degree in politics and international relations from New York University. She also received a diploma in language from the Alliance Francais in Paris.

'She was very involved in higher education, in the university, women's rights and in the cause of peace,' said UM spokesman Joseph Owsley.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 03/24/1987 Publication: United Press International Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: national News Category: Society/People

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