Professor Emeritus Kenneth Tye remembered for visionary leadership

Kenneth Tye, Ed.D., professor emeritus in Chapman University’s College of Educational Studies, has passed away. In the following letter sent to the campus community on Tuesday, June 9, Chancellor Daniele Struppa and others remembered Tye as a visionary leader who helped shape the College of Educational Studies into what it is today.

Dear Colleagues and members of the Chapman Community,

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. Kenneth Tye, professor emeritus, former chair of the Department of Education, (1984-1989) and assistant provost for international programs 1989-1992. Ken remained as part-time faculty until 2003, returning several times after his retirement to help realize the vision he laid out so many years prior.

Lifelong educator Ken Tye (B.A. 1951, San Francisco State; M.A. 1960, CSU San Diego;  Ed.D. 1968, UCLA)  began his career teaching in the La Mesa School District in San Diego and then for the Department of Defense schools in Germany (1955-58), and ended as professor of education at Chapman University (1984-1993). He was nationally and internationally known for his work in educational leadership and organization development; comparative education; and K-12 global education.

“Audacious”

Ken Tye came to Chapman from UCLA, where he worked closely with the well-known educator and researcher John Goodlad. Ken quickly began to lay out a vision for the very small group of faculty and students. Ken’s vision for Chapman’s Education program was big, very big. According to Dean Don Cardinal, “Ken’s vision was audacious, impossible really. We were a small group of nine full-time faculty and staff. Yet, after 31 years, the
College of Educational Studies
(CES) reflects many of Ken’s ambitious dreams, with over 70 full-time faculty and staff.”

Ken was still publishing professionally as recently as last year. A prolific writer, Professor Tye was author, co-author or editor of seven books and author of scores of book chapters and professional articles. Ken Tye also gained statewide and national recognition in 2013 with the publication of his first novel,
At the Point of the Bay
, set in the Suisun Bay community of Port Chicago, where he grew up.

Building the global tradition

Many faculty, staff and students remember Ken with great admiration and as a man of character, values and vision. Dr. Dawn Hunter, professor and director of the Ph.D. program in the CES, states, “Ken persistently reminded us of the inequities in our nation’s schools and our responsibility as educators to be agents of change. His visionary work on global education will continue to lead this field for years to come. We have lost a dear colleague, mentor and friend.”

According to Dr. Suzanne SooHoo, “Ken’s vision set the foundation for a democratic school of education. And he assembled a group of progressive scholars and practitioners who wanted to pursue this dream. He was our teacher/mentor/distinguished elder to the very end – a model example of a person who lived his full life deeply committed to the common good.”

“His compassion, caring and belief that a socially just world is a life mission worth living, is what I will remember most.”

Dean Don Cardinal

Dean Cardinal, longtime colleague and friend, remembers Ken as “a man who has had tremendous academic success as a scholar, faculty member, mentor and administrator. Yet, it is his compassion, caring and belief that a socially just world is a life mission worth living, is what I will remember most. I love the guy.”

President Jim Doti expressed, “Ken was a great guy and a true Chapman champion.  I had the utmost respect for the courage of his convictions and his inspirational and transformational leadership ability.” Staff member Terri Swanson remembers Ken as, “always so complimentary to the staff. There was never a time that I saw him that he didn’t offer some praise for the job I was doing. He noticed the little things. I always sought him out at CES events so that I could sit by him if there was a spot open. He was so wonderful to talk to. I loved hearing his stories. And he always reminded me to keep thinking about social justice.”

Longtime credentials analyst Maria Lynch remembers Ken as “a very generous and compassionate person and an excellent mentor and teacher.” Bobbi Fisher-Velazquez remembers when Ken first came to Chapman. “I was so in awe of the first ‘power-couple’ I had met. But Ken and Barbara were nothing like the concept of a power couple of today. Quiet determination. Intelligent grace. Quest for a better world!” Mike Drummy remembers Ken as “a true gentleman, innovative administrator and scholar.”

As for me, I was lucky to have lunch with him only a couple of months ago. Following a town-hall meeting on diversity and global citizenship at Chapman University, we decided to spend some time discussing this issue that was so dear to his heart. After the lunch, he sent me a package of articles that he had uncovered and that he hoped could be the starting point for a renewed discussion on how to develop our students into global citizens.

Ken’s students loved him. One former student, Susie Weston Wren, writes, “Ken was such an amazing man, he had a huge impact on me and so many other students. I will never forget him.” Remembrances from other students are similar: “a true gentleman, my mentor, a kind man, he taught me the depth of meaning toward creating a socially just world.”

Ken is survived by his wife, Professor Emerita Barbara Tye, Ed.D., (former CES dean and faculty member); three children, Steve, Debbie and Michael; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

There will be no memorial service. Ken asks that his friends raise a glass of wine to a life well and happily lived. For those who wish to do so, donations may be made to the
Ken and Barbara Tye International Student Travel Fund
, College of Educational Studies. Please contact Erin O’Keefe for details,
eokeefe@chapman.edu
or 714-628-2740.