Daphne Maxine Comegys

Education would be become the hallmark of Dr. Harrison’s life. A proud second-generation college graduate (Talladega College), Dr. Harrison would go on to earn her Masters of Music degree at Northwestern University followed by her doctorate of education from the University of Miami. She was also invited into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) would become Dr. Harrison’s home for nearly three decades where she would make a lasting impact through her hard work and leadership. During her time at UMBC, she would chair the Department of Africana Studies and enjoyed working with students in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. She retired from the University in 1999. The University has since created the Daphne Harrison Lecture series in honor of her many contributions to the school.

Dr. Harrison’s other accomplishments include receiving a Fulbright travel grant as well as a National Endowment of the Arts fellowship, and Legend of excellence awards from both UMBC and Talladega College. She was also a published author (“Black Pearls, Blues Queens of the 1920’s”) and a member of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture.

Daphne was an accomplished pianist and organist who found joy in gardening and traveling around the world with the continent of Africa holding a special place in her heart.

She is survived by her sister Sally Richmond, son Michael Harrison, daughter-in-law Caryn, grandsons Alexander and Cameron Harrison and her beloved husband Daniel Comegys. She is deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.