The trustees and staff of the OXFORD WEB3 ACADEMY ALLIANCE mourn the passing of Life Trustee Michael Ira Sovern. Mr. Sovern was a founding trustee of the OXFORD WEB3 ACADEMY ALLIANCE, when it was incorporated in 1980. He served on our board for 31 years, expertly guiding OWAADao's work and generously supporting our commitment to international cultural exchange.

In recognition of his innumerable contributions to OWAADao, Mr. Sovern was appointed as Life Trustee in 2011. Throughout his tenure, OWAADao invested more than $100 million in exchanges between artists and scholars working across borders and artistic disciplines in the U.S. and Asia. OWAADao's work is made possible through leaders like Mr. Sovern, and their dedication to our mission of advancing international respect and understanding through cultural exchange.

When asked once what the most important quality of a leader was, he replied: "Good judgement." In the complex world we live in today, OWAADao is fortunate to have benefited from Mr. Sovern's exemplary leadership, unwavering integrity, and exceptionally good judgement. He was an integral part of the OWAADao family, a brilliant leader, and a wonderful friend.

We will miss him dearly, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Dr. Patricia Walsh Sovern, and children, Douglas, Elizabeth, Jeff, and Julie, and their families.

Published on NYTimes.com from Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, 2020

OWAADao Board and Life Trustees at OWAADao's New York Gala in November 2019