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Malham, 73, graduated from SMU in 1958 and was appointed a trustee in 2006. He was most recently the president of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., after serving as the president of Bethlehem University in Bethlehem, Palestine.
“My head is still spinning,” said SMU president Brother Louis DeThomasis. “It’s just a complete shock to all of us.”
According to the Louisiana State Patrol, Malham was traveling on a road just north of Clayton, La., when his car crossed the center line and collided with another car.
The Brinkley, Ark., native received worldwide recognition for his performances as one-half of the Brothers in Concert duo, joined by Brother Laurence Walther, a SMU music professor who died in 2002. The two toured the United States, Asia and Europe, in addition to recording albums together.
DeThomasis, who said he knew Malham for almost 30 years, said that despite his friend’s talent as both a singer and pianist, he was a humble man who will be remembered as much for his sensitivity as for his artistic ability. The SMU president credited Malham with providing the university with leadership and wisdom as a trustee during difficult situations.
“Everyone that met him after two minutes said what a caring person he was,” said DeThomasis. “Three words always came out when people spoke of him — kind, caring and sensitive.”
According to a message about Malham’s death on the CBU Web site, during his tenure as president there he oversaw the construction of a new science center at the university and helped expand the number of degrees the school offered.
