Director of Career Services and Internships Philip Parker has died, multiple sources with knowledge of Parker’s death confirmed to The Shield Jan 18.

Career Coordinator Katherine Weinzapfel told The Shield on a phone call Friday that Parker had died earlier in the week.

Vanderburgh County Coroner Steven W. Lockyear said Parker, 59, died at his home from natural causes Jan 14.

Vice President for Student Affairs Marcia Kiessling said hearing about Parker’s death was “very sad news for the (department).”

“We are just working through it,” Kiessling said.

Kiessling, who oversees the Career Services and Internships department, said she has been meeting with Parker’s staff this week to offer assistance to his colleagues.

“We’ve been making plans to continue serving students and continue operations,” she said.

Kiessling said she plans on serving in an interim capacity in Parker’s position and will work with the Career Services staff to make a permanent plan.

“I will be serving them as needed and providing the support the staff needs,” she said. “They are such a great staff.”

Kiessling said at this time it is difficult to move forward with an official announcement from the university because it’s still early and an obituary has not been released.

A celebration of life service will be held on Feb. 2 at 2:00 pm in Bowling Green, Ky. at The Chapel on the campus of Western Kentucky University.