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Fred Kitterle
Frederick Kitterle

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News Release

Contact: Tom Parisi, Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-3635

May 4, 2005

NIU mourns loss of Dean Frederick Kitterle

DeKalb, Ill . — Frederick L. Kitterle, dean of the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and known as a champion of the undergraduate experience, died Tuesday, May 3, after a six-month battle with cancer. He was 62.

Kitterle had served as dean of the university's largest college, one that touches the lives of nearly every student at NIU, for the past decade.

“We've lost a great leader at the university,” said NIU President John Peters. “Fred Kitterle always put the interests of our students first. He worked tirelessly, even while battling illness, to enrich the academic experience and bolster academic resources for all students at NIU.”

Kitterle's dedication remained much in evidence throughout his illness, as he continued working on campus until a month ago. Friends and colleagues say he was a man who cared passionately about students and led by example.

“Fred loved the challenges, and his identity was strongly wrapped up in NIU,” said Provost J. Ivan Legg. “While he advocated on behalf of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, he also kept in mind what was in the best interest of the whole university. He was an outstanding university citizen.”

Born in Queens, N.Y., Kitterle received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology in 1971 from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst . After working as a post-doctoral fellow at Florida State University, he began his teaching career as a psychology professor at the University of Toledo. He spent 19 years in Toledo, receiving awards for academic innovation and distinguished teaching and research. He also served as chair of the Department of Psychology there and director of the graduate program in experimental psychology.

Kitterle spent three years as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas before being named dean at NIU in 1995.

At NIU, Kitterle advocated a philosophy that firmly supported the close bond between the research and teaching missions of a university. “He believed they complemented each other,” said Fred Schwantes, NIU vice provost for resource planning. “Fred knew that faculty and students who are vibrant and excited in the laboratory bring that same excitement and currency to the classroom.”

Kitterle worked to incorporate research into the undergraduate experience. He established the Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP), a vehicle allowing undergraduates to obtain funding for research and work alongside faculty mentors. He also launched Focused Interest Groups, or FIGs, which group general education students who are still exploring possible majors into small “learning communities” built around common academic themes.

“The focused interest groups established built-in peer groups for students, encouraging friendships and peer-tutoring,” Schwantes said. “Fred knew that this program would provide students with a peer support network and a sense of collegiality.”

Kitterle also created the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advisory Council, a group of distinguished alumni who provide input on innovative curricular changes. In recent years, he worked with deans from across the university on the P-20 (pre-school through graduate school) initiative, a movement that promotes lifelong learning and creates seamless transitions between each stage of the elementary, secondary and college experience. Part of that effort included a federally funded partnership with public schools in Rockford , where the university is working to enhance teacher quality at all levels.

“He came to the campus with tons of ideas on how to improve the undergraduate experience, both in terms of students' academics and personal growth,” said Joseph Grush, associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “He was proud to be at NIU. He viewed this as a good place to make a difference—and he did.”

Survivors include his wife Janet, daughter Kristine A. Wielgopolski of Toledo , Ohio , and grandson, Benjamin.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at Christ the Teacher Parish, the Newman Center, 512 Normal Road in DeKalb, with Fr. Michael Black officiating. A reception will follow the service at the church and there will be time available to visit with the family beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund at NIU in memory of Dean Frederick L. Kitterle in care of Anderson Funeral Home, Ltd., P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth St., DeKalb, IL 60115. For further information, call (815) 756-1022.

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