MATC Matters

We’re sad to tell you former MATC Chair Velma Hamilton has died. Here is her obituary.

Hamilton, Velma Fern Bell

MADISON

Velma Fern Bell Hamilton died on Thursday, July 9, 2009, after several years of failing health. She had been living for the past several months in Atlanta, Ga., having moved there from Hamden, Conn., her home for six years, but most of her life was spent in Madison. In 1950, she was hired as an English teacher at Madison Vocational School, the predecessor to Madison Area Technical College (M.A.T.C.), becoming the first African American teacher hired in Madison. She worked with the Ford Foundation’s Institute of International Education the summers of 1958 and 1959, both in Madison and Boulder, Colo. She served as Chair of the General Studies Department of M.A.T.C. for five years before retiring in 1975. For the next two years she traveled throughout the Midwest evaluating vocational and technical schools for the North Central Accrediting Association. Hamilton’s husband preceded her in death in 1996, after nearly 62 years of marriage. She is survived by a son, Dr. Harry L. Hamilton, Jr. of Sunriver, Ore.; daughters, Patricia G. Hamilton (Mrs. Maung Gyi) of Peachtree City, Ga. and Dr. Muriel E. Hamilton of San Jose, Calif.; grandchildren, David and Lisa Hamilton, Melinda Gyi White and Serena Gyi, and N’Tanya and Alicia Lee; and six great-grandchildren. There will be a visitation at the CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, Friday, July 24, 2009, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. There will be a memorial service at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (Breeze Terrace at University Avenue) beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Velma Hamilton Memorial Fund, care of First Congregational Church. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434.