Former dean William Gardner passes away at 91

William Earl “Bill” Gardner, a former dean of the College of Education, passed away on February 16, 2020, at the age of 91. He earned three degrees from the University of Minnesota: BS and MA degrees in education/social sciences and a PhD in education/American history. Gardner taught in several Minnesota schools, including the University of Minnesota High School, before joining the University of Minnesota’s College of Education faculty in 1961. In addition to serving as dean from 1977 to 1991, he served as a department chair (he taught social studies education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction) and assistant and associate dean. Under his leadership, the college adopted the fifth-year program for teacher licensure, initiated a comprehensive development program, and formed a consortium with historically black colleges and universities. Memorial gifts can be made to the William E. Gardner Scholarship to support teacher education students.

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