Dr. Joseph Nevel Cannon

Born in Weldon, Arkansas to Joseph Henry Cannon and Elmer Lewis Cannon on May 2, 1942, and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Joseph graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and his Master of Science and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder (UC Boulder). In 1971, after working at Proctor and Gamble, he decided to pursue his dream of teaching at an HBCU and thus began his remarkable academic career at Howard University in Washington, DC. Rising through the ranks in Howard’s Department of Chemical Engineering from Assistant Professor, to Associate Professor, to Department Chair, to full Professor by 1979, Joseph remained committed to teaching, research, and service to the academic community during his 45-year career. During his two decade Chairmanship at Howard, he was instrumental in building the Howard Chemical Engineering Department into a flagship of the college, insisting the primary focus be on student success, and all the while continuing his research through numerous publications and grants. In addition, he held an intermittent appointment as a research engineer with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD; became renowned for his expertise in mathematical modeling and experimental investigations related to momentum, heat, and mass transfer processes; co-authored a patent; and was one of the seven founders of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). He made an indelible impact in both academia and engineering research.

Joseph was a registered Professional Engineer in the District of Columbia and received numerous awards during his illustrious career including: the NOBCChE Founder’s Award and the Outstanding Educator’s Award; the UC Boulder Distinguished Alumnus Award in Education; the UC Boulder, College of Engineering and Applied Science Centennial Medal for Distinguished Service to Engineering Education; the Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award (four times); and an Outstanding Chemical Engineering Faculty award. He was also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society of North America, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2016, former students and friends of Dr. Cannon established a $500K Chemical Engineering Endowment Scholarship fund campaign. In June 2024, the first recipient of the endowment was awarded.

His memory will be cherished forever by his beloved wife, Veronica Cannon. She was tirelessly dedicated to caring for her husband, who often praised her cooking. Veronica truly enhanced Joseph’s quality of life. She stood by his side with unwavering love and support throughout their life together.

His legacy of excellence will continue to live through his surviving wife Veronica Cannon, his daughter, Devi Cannon Ramey, son Dr. Changa Cannon (Brandi), daughter Erin K. Cannon-Wells, Esq., stepchildren Arville Brock-Smith II, and Bianca Adkins (Omari). He leaves behind his loving grandchildren Justin, Laina, Roman, Naeem, Arville III, Nia, Ian, and Drexler; his endeared sisters, Sandra Jones, and Edwa Faye Ugwuzor; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws; as well as many other family members, friends, the Howard University community, and colleagues.

Joseph was an avid basketball enthusiast who enjoyed cowboy movies and time with family. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him. His family kindly requests donations be made to the Dr. Joseph Cannon Chemical Engineering Endowment Scholarship fund campaign which has already raised over $300K but with a goal of $500K. You can donate at https://giving.howard.edu/givenow and comment “Dr Joseph Cannon Chemical Engineering Academic Endowment Scholarship Fund Account.”