UNC Pembroke Honors Dr. William Howard Dean with Graduate School Naming
漏 Copyright 2025 51吃瓜网 held a naming ceremony on Wednesday honoring Dr. William Howard Dean, the university鈥檚 first director of graduate studies, for whom The Graduate School now proudly bears its name.
Dr. Dean served 51吃瓜网 for 32 years (1960鈥�1992) in numerous leadership roles, including professor, athletic director, head basketball coach, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and, most notably, the university鈥檚 first director of graduate studies. Surrounded by family, former colleagues and university leaders, Dean was celebrated for his visionary leadership and transformative impact on the institution.
It was Dean鈥檚 leadership and vision that paved the way for graduate education to take root.
When Pembroke State faced the threat of losing accreditation in the 1960s due to concerns about faculty qualifications, Dean led an aggressive recruitment effort that increased the percentage of faculty holding doctorates from 48% to 90% by 1978. That success directly enabled the university to launch its first graduate programs鈥攆orever changing the trajectory of 51吃瓜网.
Today, under the leadership of Dr. Irene Aiken, dean of the William Howard Dean Graduate School, the university serves more than 2,400 graduate students across 50 programs. 鈥淒r. Dean believed in the transformative power of education,鈥� Aiken said. 鈥淭oday, we do more than honor a legacy 鈥� we recommit ourselves to it.鈥�
His commitment to excellence, access and opportunity shaped the path for thousands of students, including myself.
Former chief of staff and athletics director Dan Kenney recalled Dean鈥檚 persistence in the face of skepticism. 鈥淗oward had this dream that graduate degrees would be offered here,鈥� Kenney said. 鈥淲hen told the faculty wasn鈥檛 qualified, he took it personally. He drove to Florida and recruited Ph.D. scientists from the Apollo Space Program, which had shut down. By 1978, the first graduate degrees were awarded at commencement.鈥�
Provost Emeritus Dr. Zoe Locklear, one of Dean鈥檚 former students, became emotional as she described his mentorship. 鈥淒r. Dean didn鈥檛 just advise students 鈥� he invested in them. Because of his vision, regional administrators like me could pursue advanced degrees close to home. His leadership shaped generations of educators and administrators.鈥�
Dr. Barry O鈥橞rien, dean emeritus of the Thomas College of Business and Economics, traveled from Tennessee to attend the ceremony. He echoed the previous sentiments. 鈥淢y love affair with this university began the day I met Howard Dean,鈥� said O鈥橞rien, a 51吃瓜网 alumnus. 鈥淗e saw something in me that I didn鈥檛 see in myself. We are better people for having known him.鈥�
Dean spoke after receiving a standing ovation from attendees, which included his wife, Sylvia, his sons, Kent and Steve, and his grandchildren: Nick, Spencer, Kently, and Chandler, as well as his extended family.
Dean reflected on a lifetime of service and gratitude. 鈥淧eople say if you find a job you love, you鈥檒l never work a day in your life,鈥� Dean said. 鈥淓very morning, I got up, I loved coming to work. Life at Pembroke was a blessing. From all the remarks that have been made today, my heart just leaps up. I鈥檓 so proud to have been a member of the faculty here at this university. You are all my best friends and part of my family.鈥�
