PAST NSBE NATIONAL CHAIR
MARIO V. CHURCH II

(1978-2011)

The National Society of Black Engineers mourns the loss of past NSBE National Chair Mario V. Church II, who died on Dec. 29, 2011 of cancer at the age of 33.

Church was chair of NSBE’s National Executive Board in 2003–2004, serving as the top-ranking officer of the Society — one of the largest student-managed associations in the country — during a time when it had 15,000 members.

In his professional career, Church was regional vice president at DeWolff, Boberg & Associates, a privately held management consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas. Before taking this position, he worked for IBM Corporation and NEC Solutions America.

Church was a graduate of the San Diego State University, where he received an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship in 2003 and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 2001. Church was also an avid golfer and a member of the first-place team at NSBE’s annual Alumni Executive Golf Classic, on more than one occasion.

“Mario Church was what the National Society of Black Engineers is about,” says NSBE National Advisor S. Gordon Moore Jr., executive director – Student Diversity & Inclusion Director, OMED: Educational Services Office of Institute Diversity, at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “He embodied the mission and diligently pursued it. (He was) a quiet leader who did not take himself so seriously that he could not walk with the membership. He is an inspiration (and) will be truly missed, but never forgotten.”

“NSBE national chairs are a rare breed,” says NSBE National Advisor Gary S. May, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and professor in the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “They are smart, strategic thinkers, and leaders who also have to be personable and humble. A sense of humor also helps. Mario Church had all of these qualities in abundance. Working with him was a joy. I was blessed to know him. He will be missed.”

“Mario was a leader with great vision for NSBE’s future,” says Damaune Journey, who also served as a NSBE national chair (2000–2001). “But more (than) just a leader, he was a man with an amazing ability to personally connect and calmly and convincingly lead, making everyone in NSBE, regardless of role or status, feel a part of the vision and direction. To know Mario was to be his friend and he yours, for life.”

Chanceé Lundy, who succeeded Church as NSBE national chair, recalled how Church encouraged her in her quest to be his successor and that Church was her “voice of reason and wisdom” during her toughest challenges.

“One piece of advice given to me that I will always cherish was when he told me, ‘Don’t take it so seriously,’ ” says Lundy.

“Having had the pleasure of working with Mario for over 10 years on several projects, he always made sure that he served for the greater good,” says Delano White, a friend and NSBE colleague, who served as NSBE national chair from 2001 to 2003. “Nobody who’s ever met Mario (can) say they are not personally better because of it.”

Keniah Robinson worked with Church as NSBE vice chair in 2003–2004.

“Mario Church was more than just a fellow NSBE National Executive Board member. He was a friend,” she says. “He was wonderful to work with, whether it was reminding me to smile during the late night budget meetings or lightening the mood with his own smile during tense conversations… What I will remember most is how he demonstrated that you should work hard, enjoy your work and not be afraid to enjoy life, no matter where you are or who you are with. I will miss Mario very much.”

“Mario’s work changed my life,” says current National Chair Calvin Phelps. “His example helped guide me and many others to be part of something greater than ourselves. He will be missed, but his legacy of leadership and service lives on.”

Church is survived by his wife, Tanisha, and their two sons: Mario Church III, aged 3, and Quentin, aged 5 months.

The NSBE National Chair’s Council has established a memorial fund in Church’s name. You may donate to the fund here.

In lieu of making phone calls to his family, NSBE asks that everyone direct their prayers, well wishes and support to the following Facebook page established in his memory: Our Prayers for Mario Church II.

Condolences may also be sent to the following address:
 
Tanisha Church
PO Box 81351
San Diego, CA 92138

You may also leave memories of Mario and your condolences in the comments section.