ABIGAIL S. FISHER | SUMMER KENT STATER Mary Dellmann, director of the School of Family and Consumer Studies, presents an honorary plaque to the departing dean, David England.

Credit: DKS Editors

David England, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, will leave Kent State July 27 after serving as dean for five years.

Among England’s achievements was merging the School of Education with the schools of Exercise, Leisure and Sport, Speech Pathology and Audiology and Family and Consumer Studies, creating the College of Education, Health and Human Services.

He is leaving to become the executive vice president for academic affairs at Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, La. He said the move will enable him and his wife, Susan, to be closer to family.

Sitting in his office, surrounded by pictures of his wife, children and grandchildren, he reflected on his bittersweet goodbye.

“Our choice was easy, even if leaving Kent State is not,” England said.

England was honored July 10 at a farewell reception with more than 90 guests in the Moulton Hall Ballroom.

He was presented with a chair from the College of Education, Health and Human Services and a plaque presented by Mary Dellmann-Jenkins, director of the School of Family and Consumer Studies.

England’s secretary, Carolyn Hartman, said she will miss his sense of humor, passion and concern for all people including the faculty, students and his family.

“I am leaving an extended family here at Kent State … but another family awaits,” England said.

England said when he first came to Kent, his single goal was to leave the college better than he found it.

With the progress of the new College of Education, Health and Human Services, England credits his colleagues and the leadership team with the success.

“There is no ‘I’ in dean,” England said. “I truly believe that I am probably indebted to everyone here for big and small contributions to what I have enjoyed as a very good life, and I think some success at Kent State.”

Another great accomplishment England credits himself with is being “the world’s best gin player.”

England said he has been playing the game since he knew the difference between a club and a spade.

“My father and I used to have gin marathons,” England said. “He was the world’s best until he passed away.”

In addition to gin, England enjoys reading, thoroughbred racing, racquetball and the Cleveland Indians.

England said his family – his wife, three daughters and nine grandchildren – is the center of his life.

“Susan has been, and remains my girlfriend and bride for 38 years,” England said.

Susan England said her husband will be sad to leave because he loves the people he works with and the university.

“I have never been at a place where there is more talent, commitment, warmth and cordiality at every level than found at Kent,” England said.

Donald Bubenzer will serve as interim dean for the college of Education, Heath and Human Services.

Contact fashion and College of Education, Health and Human Services reporter Lyndsay Elliott at [email protected].