In Memoriam, Dr. Wallace Warfield, 1938 - 2010.

Wallace Pinn Warfield was born in New York in 1938.  After graduating from Howard University he went on to receive a Master's degree in public administration from a Washington D.C.-based program of the University of Southern California in 1962. 

Wallace began his career with the Youth Services Agency in New York City, working to resolve disputes among street gangs throughout the 1960s.  This formed the foundations of a profession that would see him become an internationally respected practitioner and academic.  From 1968 to 1988 Wallace worked for the Department of Justice's New York Community Relations Service, first, as a community mediator, eventually rising to become its Acting Director. 

Wallace moved to the D.C. metropolitan area to develop dispute-resolution processes for federal agencies.  Although Wallace guest lectured at ICAR in the 1980s it wasn't until 1990 that he formally joined the ICAR community.  Wallace quickly became a respected academic, receiving his Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Mason University in 2000. Wallace published widely, sat on the editorial board of the Negotiation Journal and was president of the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution. An expert of the highest order in resolving racial and ethnic conflict, Wallace led training programs for government officials and participated in conflict mediation efforts in the United States, Europe, Africa, and South America.  In 2009 Wallace received a lifetime achievement award from the Association for Conflict Resolution.

Wallace was, and remains, a deeply loved and respected member of the ICAR community, reputed for his warmth and sense of humor.  Wallace’s impact as a mentor, practically and academically, is reflected in the messages of condolence from across the United States, Uruguay, Bolivia, Colombia, and France.  Wallace will be remembered by many for his humanity and the value he placed on every individual, a student commented on the below blog that:  “He was the best ICAR teacher I had because he made me feel special and not just another student passing through his class. He brought me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to speak of things that I had never shared with most people before.”

Those wishing to pay their respects to Wallace can leave messages at http://wallacewarfieldmemorial.blogspot.com.  Additionally, a new scholarship fund in the name of Professor Wallace Warfield has been created.  Reflecting Wallace's exemplary contribution as both a scholar and a practitioner this scholarship will be awarded for practice in the field.  Donations to this fund are currently being accepted; please contact ICAR for further information.