© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Eva L. Evans, Pioneering Lansing Educator, Dies at 85

photo of Eva L. Evans
Courtesy
/
Michigan Women's History Hall of Fame / Lansing School District
Dr. Eva L. Evans was the first Black female deputy superintendent of the Lansing Public Schools. She died on Tuesday at age 85.

Dr. Eva L. Evans, a pioneering educator and the first Black female deputy superintendent of Lansing Public Schools, died on Tuesday, July 21.

 

Evans began her career in Lansing in 1965.

 

She developed several initiatives, including a local schools of choice program.

 

She created avenues for minority students to attend Michigan State University and Lansing Community College. 

 

In the early 1970’s, Evans helped calm racial tensions during Lansing’s school desegregation era. 

 

Months before the current wave of racial unrest that’s gripped the nation, Evans told WKAR that America still hasn’t learned from its history.

 

“The way power and people are divided in the United States…does the United States really mean what it says it is? Every generation, it seems we have to test that,” Evans said in 2019.       

 

Eva Lois Evans was 85. 

 

 

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
Related Content
WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.