Alumni Notes

Norma Jean Case Groth (Livingston), of Salem, OR, passed away August 27, 2021 after a very short time in hospice. She was born in Tenville, Iowa on March 2, 1929.  Norma Jean graduated from Stephens College (AS) 1949, University of Minnesota (BS Home Economics) 1951, California Lutheran University (MA) 1968, University of Southern California (EdD) 1972.  […]

Walter Meissner, Jr. passed away on July 23, 2021 at the age of 84. After obtaining a master’s in music education from the U of M, he taught music at the high school and college levels for many years. In 1972, he combined his love of music with his entrepreneurial instincts and started Meissner Piano Service.

Thomas P. Kilkelly (MEd’75) passed away on July 6. He was a passionate mathematics teacher, spending most of his career at St. Thomas Academy and Wayzata High School. After retiring from classroom teaching, Tom worked with the students and mathematics department at Cristo Rey High School, dedicating himself to the Ignation Volunteer Corps.

Alton Greenfield, PhD’78, education, passed away on June 8, 2021 at age 79. He served as the reading specialist for the state of Minnesota for 30 years before his retirement in 2002.

Congratulations to Marvin Banks, MEd’12, a recipient of the 2021 Alumni Service Award! A dedicated volunteer, Banks served on the College of Education and Human Development Alumni Society Board from 2018-21 and as president for two years. He sustained enthusiasm and commitment among the board during staff transitions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Marvin also offers […]

Oglethorpe University has named Bradley J. Blitz as the inaugural Dean of Student Success. In this new role, Blitz will provide vision and leadership to create a comprehensive advising model and strategy for student success that supports academic progress, retention, and degree completion. Blitz, MEd ’07, has spent his academic career focused on advising strategy, […]

Chelsea Petree, director of the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Parent and Family Programs, has edited “College Ready,” a guide to prepare parents and families during the transition to college, from the summer through the first visit home. Topics include balancing access needs and student privacy, how to have tough conversations, preparing students for adult responsibilities, […]

Theresa “Terry” Coble (MEd’91) passed away on September 9, 2019 at age 68. The cause of death was breast cancer. Terry was generous and had a huge, warm and kind heart. She was a feminist, believed in social, economic, and racial justice and equality, and cared deeply for the environment.

Amanda Thein, currently Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs and Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education in the College of Education at the University of Iowa, has been appointed Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Education and Dean of the Graduate College as of July 1, 2021. Thein has a PhD in English education […]

Forrest “Tiz” Lothrop (MEd ’54) passed away on May 29, 2021 in Lennox, SD. He has a long career as a coach and teacher.