Remembering Dr. Dean Corrigan

COLLEGE STATION, TX, Nov. 16, 2021 – Dr. Dean Charles Corrigan, former dean of the College of Education and Human Development, passed away Nov. 7 at his home in Middlebury, VT. He was 91 years old.

Corrigan served from 1980-1989 as the second dean of the then-College of Education preceding Dr. Frank Hubert. The nine years under Corrigan’s tenure were pivotal to the growth and expansion of CEHD.

Corrigan revised the college’s degree programs as a response to educational reform movements of the 1980s and in 1983 was selected to serve on the Select Committee for Public Education chaired by Ross Perot.

In 1982, the Dean’s Development Council was created under Corrigan which allowed for private and corporate funding to give an additional boost to the college’s researchers who continue to answer the challenges of the times.

He challenged the faculty to form Centers of Inquiry within the college. Within these units, faculty worked collaboratively to study policy and programs related to technological literacy; adult development; the role of educators in industry; multicultural and international education; and special needs programs related to aging, bilingual education, gifted and talented education, and individuals with disabilities.

During his time, two centers, the Education Leadership Research Center and the Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning were established. The College also was named as top producer of math and science teachers in Texas from the Texas Education Agency.

Corrigan is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Cayay, Puerto Rico. During his service, created the army’s first Teaching English as a Second Language Program for Puerto Rican officers.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Jane Ann Kingsbury. He is survived by children, Kevin, Andrew, and Sarah Suggs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Addison Home Health and Hospice, 254 Ethan Allen Hwy, New Haven, VT 05472.