CEHD Remembers Dr. Barbara Stone

Dr. Barbara Stone, professor emerita and the first female Department Head of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development (EAHR), passed away on October 18. Throughout her career at Texas A&M, Dr. Stone was known as a trailblazing educator who motivated colleagues and exemplified lifelong learning.

Born in Cookeville, Tenn., Dr. Stone earned her bachelor’s in sociology at George Washington University, her master’s in sociology at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and later earned her doctorate in education at Boston College.

In 1977, she joined the faculty in the Adult & Extension Education Program at the College of Education and Human Development. As a faculty member, she contributed to the ongoing growth of the college in numerous ways. She was a founding member of the Faculty Senate and was heavily involved with the success of her students and colleagues— many of whom she regarded as her chosen family.

“She was an encourager and always encouraged people to be successful even when they thought they couldn’t,” said Dr. Larry Dooley, associate professor of human resource development. “She was very much into service and teaching and made everyone better within the department’s environment.

Dr. Stone published over 65 articles and presentations and received many college and university awards including the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching from the Association of Former Students.

As an avid outdoorswoman, Dr. Stone was a member of the women’s rifle team as an undergraduate, was an active Girl Scout throughout all phases of her life, was a registered EMT, and frequently traveled and camped across the United States using different forms of transportation. Her extensive hobbies would come to reflect her career outlook.

“It makes sense knowing that she was an adult educator,” Dr. Dooley said. “One of the things we know is that you learn all your life and you don’t stop learning after you retire. She was exemplifying what it was to be a lifelong learner.”

She retired from the college in 1991 and relocated to Alpine, Texas. There, she still traveled and adventured frequently, and also continued to serve the college as an emeriti faculty member.

At the time of her death, Dr. Stone had no living immediate family. Any donations to her memory can be made to the Alpine Humane Society — Ezra Fund.