ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — A retired Ithaca College professor has died. 

Dr. Julian Euell became the first African American professor at IC in 1974 and was the first to receive tenure in 1980. By the time he retired in 2020, Euell was an associate professor of sociology.

“He accepted the weight and responsibility of being the first with supreme grace. In fact, over his 46 years of service to the college, he affectionately became known as “Dr. Only.” This honorific was given to him as a way for students, friends, and colleagues to honor and acknowledge his journey as well as his never-wavering commitment to expand representation among faculty ranks,” according to a post on Ithaca College’s Intercom page.

“There is no way to describe or measure the impact of Julian’s presence. To know him was to experience a quiet (at times) and stubborn strength. He possessed an unmatched intellect that will live on with those who were blessed to call him dad, grandad, professor, brother, colleague, friend, and/or Dr. Only.”

 A celebration of life is being planned.