Spring Break
Dean Ralph Fessler to retire after this year
Amidst building renovations and program changes, School of Education dean announces retirement after a 25-year career
Issue date: 9/25/08
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Fessler announced last Monday that he will retire at the end of the academic year, but he was enthusiastic to talk to the News-Letter about the School of Education's newest plans.
Although he was wearing a walking cast, he eagerly gave a tour of the historic private school-turned-university hall, which included a stop in his favorite room, a gorgeous space filled with heavy wood bookshelves and an antique iron staircase.
Fessler, who upon retirement will have completed 26 years at Hopkins, has seen a lot of changes in the education program at Hopkins, most recently the creation of the new School of Education in January 2007.
The School of Education also recently had its accreditation visit and moved into a new building in 2800 N. Charles St.
"I have been weighing which year would be the right year to retire and decided this would be the best time. We're in good shape with a bright future for this school - now it's time to think about different things," he said.
When Fessler first arrived at Hopkins in 1983, the education scene was entirely different, with nine faculty members and four support staff.
Today, Fessler says that the number of faculty members is well in the 60s, with 2,000 students, of which 300 are full-time.
Fessler has served as professor and director of the Graduate Division of Education.
In 1999, he also worked as dean of the School of Professional Studies in Business and Education.
Last year, this school divided, creating the School of Education, whose education program is now entering its 100th year of existence, and the Carey Business School.
He also expanded the master's degree programs and graduate certificate programs to include the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, the school's largest degree program that he re-established in 1986 after a 12-year hiatus.
But Fessler does not want all the credit for the School of Education's expansion.
"My pride comes from people around me," he said, referring to the faculty of the School of Education.
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