University of Houston-Downtown's Blanchard on late former interim president: 'His passion for UHD and its mission was something made clear by his unyielding work'

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is mourning the loss of its former interim president, Dr. Michael A. Olivas. Olivas died on Friday (April 22), according to UHD's official Twitter account. 

University president Dr. Loren J. Blanchard issued a letter to students and faculty in response to Olivas's passing, praising his predecessor's efforts to raise the 48-year-old school's profile though the two men never actually met. 

"While I never had the opportunity to personally interact with Dr. Olivas outside of regular phone conversations, I know that many of you did," Blanchard wrote in the letter. "Through the many wonderful accounts I have heard as well as his historical achievements during his time here, Dr. Olivas’s impact at UHD will remain a testament to the value he instilled in our university. His passion for UHD and its mission was something made clear by his unyielding work to elevate the university amongst the city and region."

According to UHD, University of Houston (UH) System Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator named Olivas the temporary leader of UHD in 2016. He helmed the university until early 2017. 

The school said that during his short tenure, Olivas presided over the purchase of a 17-acre land parcel north of its one main building, as well as entered into articulation agreements with Houston Community College and Lone Star College to help students embark on a smooth transition toward a four-year university environment.

Blanchard said that Olivas accomplished plenty at UHD in such a short amount of time.

"The work he performed during his time at UHD will always serve as a reminder of his legacy and his determination for the University of Houston-Downtown to succeed," the incumbent university president wrote.

Olivas's affiliation with the UH System lasted close to 40 years, Blanchard said.

According to the university, Olivas was a rock music enthusiast. Billed as "the rock 'n' roll law professor," Blanchard's letter explained, Olivas hosted a show on Albuquerque National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate KANW called “The Law of Rock and Roll,” on which he discussed legal developments in music and entertainment law.

"This is a perfect example of the type of person so many of you described him as – a noted scholar who also possessed an approachable, human touch," Blanchard's letter said.