SUNY Orange to hold memorial service for former dean

George Shepard was the college’s first - and only - dean of students, MIDDLETOWN — SUNY Orange and friends of George Shepard will hold a memorial service for the late dean of students at 2:15 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28, in the Fireplace Lounge of the Shepard Student Center on the College's Middletown campus. Shepard died on Jan. 22 at the age of 92 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Speakers at the memorial service will include retired Congressman Ben Gilman; former adjunct instructor Nina Griffin; retired director of student services Tom Goetz; and Barbara Bedell, columnist for the Times Herald-Record. Dr. William Richards, College president, will participate as well. Gilman will discuss Shepard's pre-College days as a Middletown radio broadcaster and his role in helping bring a community college to Orange County. Griffin, a 1953 graduate and long active in college dramatics, will reflect upon Shepard's interest and advocacy for the arts and the theatre. Goetz will explain Shepard's remarkable ability to establish mutual respect with students of all ages and his role in establishing the College's policies on student rights. Bedell will assess Shepard's impact on the greater Orange County community. Shepard enjoyed a 32-year career as the college's first, and only, dean of students. He joined the college in 1951 when it had fewer than 200 students and little in the way of student activities. He created a comprehensive student personnel and co-curricular program. For more information, call 343-8849.