Passing of Fletcher Mackey, Faculty and Dedicated Academic Leader at MICA

Dear MICA Faculty and Staff,

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Fletcher Mackey, dedicated faculty member and academic leader at MICA, died peacefully in his sleep in his apartment here in Baltimore.

Fletcher Mackey

The FYE faculty are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of their long-time colleague; below is their special message for the MICA community:

“Our hearts and condolences go out to Fletcher’s family. Fletcher Mackey has been our most valued colleague, loved by his peers and students from our community and beyond. As a Full-time faculty in the First Year Experience (FYE), he led the department as Chair for many years and taught in various departments across campus while dedicating his love and passion to community arts, global education, and contemporary art. Over the summer, he was working on many projects including curricular connections with MICA and Baltimore in anticipation for the reopening of our campus. He was present to everyone’s important moments, professionally and personally, and attended all MICA related convenings; he was always there. Fletcher was a mentor to many BI+POC students on campus and taught internationally in Seoul during the summers, ensuring that connections were far reaching. He brought in many new faculty members and mentored them, creating a more just, diverse, and inclusive MICA. He was a fearless advocate for all of us.  We hold him tight in our hearts, and thank him for all his years of generosity, leadership, and friendship, and for making our community.”

Fletcher joined the MICA faculty in the Fall of 2005. For many years, he served as the Chair of the First Year Experience Program, and played a leadership role in crafting the new interdisciplinary curriculum. Fletcher was a participating member of the MFACA community, directly supported MICA’s internationalization efforts, worked with key community partners, and was involved in hundreds of committees, initiatives, and goings-on at MICA over the last fifteen years.

Although his contributions as a leader were noteworthy, Fletcher was first and foremost a committed artist and teacher.  Fletcher was absolutely beloved by his students. One of my favorite comments I read this past spring was: “Fletcher is perfect and he has made this class perfect.”

Fletcher’ kind and empathetic personality will be greatly missed both in the meeting rooms and the classrooms at MICA. His colleague, Colette Veasey-Cullors, Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies, shared her sentiments on this untimely loss:

“I’ve known Fletcher for 30 years, first as a friend and secondly as a colleague. He was generous, compassionate, and sincere; a gentle giant. He cared and he cared deeply. His passing leaves us with a hole; a void that will never be filled. I know that I am a better person for knowing him and having him as my friend. I know that MICA is a better college because of his presence as a colleague and as a teacher. I know that Baltimore City is stronger because of his commitment to the arts community. Fletcher will be missed and always loved.”

Fletcher was an individual who leaves a legacy of lasting connections. Yumi Hogan, First Lady of Maryland and MICA adjunct faculty wanted to share her thoughts with the faculty and staff:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Fletcher Mackey, one of the greatest and most influential artists, art professors, and human beings. He was my special, precious friend and inspiration. His legacy for the art community and MICA will be remembered and he will forever live in our hearts. My deepest sympathy and prayers to his family.”

We will plan to host a MICA remembrance event and will send a save the date in the coming weeks.

At this point I do not have any further information regarding services or other arrangements, but I will be back in touch once I have further guidance from his family. 

Respectfully,

Tiffany Holmes
Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost