May 20, 2017 – Numerous faculty and staff recently reflected and collectively celebrated the years of service of the Executive Dean of the College of Education and Human Studies, Dr. Tom Rosebrough. The occasion was replete with comments from those who have worked closely with Dr. Rosebrough over his extensive career at Union University.
Dr. Ann Singleton, Associate Provost and Dean of Instruction at Union, mused that “1996 was an especially big year for the School of Education.” That year marked the beginning of Rosebrough’s service as Dean at Union. “And, thank you for at least two things: You taught me that administration can be good because we are helping people solve problems; and you gave not only the SOE but the entire university a common ‘transformational’ language for describing our teaching.”
Dr. Beverly Absher, chair of the Department of Continuing Studies, noted that “You are such a wonderful teacher.” Dr. Linn Stranak, chair of the Department of Physical Education, Wellness, and Sport, joked that “I always tried to wear my red and gray jacket (Ohio State’s colors) in meetings with the dean to make him more likely to say ‘yes.’” Associate Dean of Social Work Mary Anne Poe said that “Tom has always been great to sit down with me to solve problems.” And, others included similar sentimental reflections regarding the Dean’s decision to step down from his role after over two decades of service, including Helen Fowler, Assistant to Dr. Rosebrough for his entire tenure: “When Tom first came he wrote to us that he prayed that (what was then called) the School of Education and Human Studies would be known for student-centeredness, kindness, integrity, and service, that students would know we are Christians by our love. . . We hope we have made you proud.”
The Executive Dean and namesake of the Rosebrough Center for Educational Practice plans to transition to a role as University Professor of Education in fall 2017. The College of Education and Human Studies will then become three academic entities: the College of Education (includes the School of Education and the PEWS Department), the School of Adult and Professional Studies, and the School of Social Work, with three new deans leading these units.
The celebration of Rosebrough years of service occurred at the Flat Iron Grill in Jackson just before graduation services that day. Dr. Rosebrough expressed delight when his faculty and staff honored him, an Alumnus of the Ohio State University, by donating and adopting an Ohio Buckeye tree to be planted in his honor, with an accompanying sign, in the Union University arboretum. Dr. Mark Bolyard, chair of the Biology Department, and Dr. Mike Schiebout, Director of the Union Arboretum, recently procured and planted two buckeye trees on campus. A picture of one of the trees is shown above.
