[Reading-hall-of-fame] Re: Sad news

Thu Apr 23 01:59:26 BST 2020

Mourning the Passing of a Literacy Giant. ( Wanda Blanchett, Dean of the Graduate School of Education. Rutgers)

Dear Colleagues,

As you know Dorothy Strickland passed away on April 17, 2020. We know about her fabulous career, I want to share with you some thoughts about my esteemed colleague
that go beyond.  First a note from her son Randall

Hi Lesley,
I’m aware that you’ve received notice of my mother’s passing. I wanted to thank you for the friendship and support you provided her over the years.

Unfortunately, we aren't permitted to have a proper funeral/memorial at this time. The good news is they did allow me to be by her bedside each of the last several days and Zoom in my brothers Mark, Michael and her grandkids to pray, talk and sing to her in her final hours on this earth.

As you well know, she was a remarkable woman. With all her career accomplishments she was probably proudest of being a hockey mom and devoted grandmother. We’ll plan a memorial when it’s safe to gather.

Thanks again. We’re so blessed.
Randy

My Thoughts,

Dorothy was an inspiration for me and others.  We worked together on research projects, books, and articles.  I learned so much from Dot and feel very fortunate I was able to work with her.  Dorothy told me that she planned to go to secretarial school after high school.   Her wonderful guidance counselor convinced her that she was really smart and needed to go to college,  so she did.

Dorothy’s accomplishments were remarkable. She was president of the International Reading Association (IRA) and the Reading Hall of Fame. She had multiple publications in the field of early literacy and was the first Samuel Dewitt Proctor Chair at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers.

Dorothy’s career involved her working in multiple settings. However one that was most important to her was being a Mom.  She was so proud of Randy, Mark and Michael her three sons.  The boys married and had their own families.  Dot would talk about her grandchildren and show pictures of them and say "I am a shameless grandma".  I borrowed her phrase when I became a shameless grandmother.

We shared many things together especially through our work and play with the IRA and Rutgers.  There were many trips to conferences with speaking engagements. The meetings were throughout the country but also abroad to Costa Rica, Ireland, Estonia and so many more. I also remember a spa vacation in the Berkshires with a few other colleagues in literacy and Passover at my home.

 I remember when Dorothy was President of the International Reading Association. There was a reception line for members to meet the executive board and board members. At the end of the line shaking hands with everyone were her 3  young sons, their Dad Maurice and the incoming President of the IRA Dorothy. She was radiant in her yellow gown.

Dorothy is one of those people that you think will always be there.  She was and always will be an icon in the Literacy Community.  Dorothy was so very smart, hard working, professional, elegant and a delight to be with. We were all lucky to have her as a friend and colleague. She had a remarkable family and career.

________________________________

________________________________
From: Wanda J. Blanchett <wanda.blanchett at gse.rutgers.edu>
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2020 11:24 AM
To: GSE Faculty List <gse-faculty at gse.rutgers.edu>; GSE Staff List <gse-staff at gse.rutgers.edu>
Subject: Passing of Literacy Giant and GSE Professor Emerita!

Good Morning Colleagues,

It’s with great sadden that I share the news of the passing of inaugural and Samuel DeWitt Proctor Professor of Education Emerita, Dr. Dorothy S. Strickland, who was an international giant in the field of literacy. Even following her retirement from Rutgers GSE, Dr. Strickland continued to work tirelessly for children and educators in the state of New Jersey and beyond as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Education until she stepped down in August of 2016.

Dr. Strickland will be missed by all of us fortunate enough to have known her. However, her legacy of literary advocacy and excellence, along with her many scholarly and professional contributions, will inspire generations of students, educators, and scholars for many years to come.

We will share more information as it becomes available as we mourning the passing of this literacy giant and our colleague and friend.

[cid:be8cdd9d-9f64-4180-bbbd-3f8a70b458b0]

Abbreviated Bio from International Reading Association Hall of Fame

Dorothy S. Strickland, Ph.D., is Samuel DeWitt Proctor Professor of Education, Emerita, Rutgers University; New Brunswick, New Jersey. Dr. Strickland is the former president of the International Reading Association and Reading Hall of Fame. She received the International Reading Association’s Outstanding Teacher Educator of Reading Award, the National-Louis University Ferguson Award for Outstanding Contributions to Early Childhood Education, and the William S. Gray Citation of Merit. She served on the Common Core State Standards Validation Committee. Her publications include Essential Readings on Early Literacy, Literacy Leadership in Early Childhood, Bridging the Literacy Achievement Gap: 4—12, and Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs.

Wanda J. Blanchett, Ph.D.

Dean, Graduate School of Education &

Distinguished Professor

Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

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