Alumni Notes
| Skrtic Honored as Pioneer of Disability Studies |
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Skrtic also gave the conference’s opening plenary address, titled “Rights, Capabilities and Disability Needs Politics: Institutional Barriers to Social Justice in School and Society.” “Tom Skrtic was one of the first scholars in the United States to help develop the field of disability studies, even before we had the term ‘disability studies,’ ” said Douglas P. Biklen, dean of education at Syracuse. “His scholarship examines issues of voice, democracy and inclusion and calls on the world to examine cultural and social meanings of individual difference.” The Tolley Medal has been awarded only 12 times since it was established in 1966 to honor William Pearson Tolley, then chancellor of Syracuse and a nationally recognized leader in higher education. By 1971, it was regarded as the most prestigious award of its kind in the world. “Access to meaningful lifelong learning for all is a core entitlement of a just society, and thus a central concern for the field of disability studies in education,” Skrtic said. The Encyclopedia of Educational Leadership recognized Skrtic in 2004 as one of the two most influential figures in reconceptualizing the philosophy and practice of special education. He has directed 30 federal grants and contracts; published seven books and more than 100 articles, chapters, and research reports; and lectured and consulted on school organization and special education policy throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Russia. |
Syracuse University’s School of Education honored Tom Skrtic (PhD ’76), professor of special education at the University of Kansas, for his pioneering work in disability studies. Skrtic received two awards at the Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education: the Tolley Medal recognizing distinguished leadership in lifelong learning and the conference’s Senior Scholar Award.1970s
Nancy “Rusty” Barcelo (MA ‘72/PhD ’80), University of Minnesota’s vice president and vice provost,
received The University of Iowa’s 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Barcelo is recognized as a pioneer in convincing university communities to embrace principles of equality, diversity, and multiculturalism. Throughout her illustrious career in academic administration, first at the UI—where she helped found the Latino and Native American Cultural Center—and then at the University of Washington and the University of Minnesota, Barcelo has proved herself a visionary leader of transformational change. With warmth, determination, and an encompassing vision of humanity, she has raised the status of issues of equality and diversity—and literally changed the face of university communities.
“Rusty is a great example of what an intelligent, determined and committed person can accomplish,” Associate Professor Emeritus Robert Engel wrote in his nomination letter. “She would be the first to say that she hasn’t accomplished her work alone, but it is clear to those of us who have worked with her that her ability to lead and to inspire others to service has been a major force. The fact that two universities where she worked invited her to return with increased responsibilities is evidence of her skills as an administrator and leader.”
Robyne (Halevy) Lewis (BA ’75) earned her Ed.D. from National Louis University and is an assistant professor of literacy at 
Dominican University’s School of Education in River Forest, Illinois. She also serves on an advisory board for Benedictine University’s School of Education in Lisle, Illinois. Currently, she is working with the Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning at the University of Illinois to develop assessments for the Illinois State Social/Emotional Learning Standards.
After more than 32 years as a public school educator and administrator, Lewis retired as principal of John L. Sipley Elementary School in June 2009.
Elizabeth Jeffrey (BS ‘76) taught in Iowa and Minnesota for 10 years before receiving her master’s in Education Leadership from the University of Connecticut.
Jeffrey worked as a counselor, teacher, director, and finally CEO of The Hole in the Wall Discovery Center where she developed and ran a diversity/outdoor education program for 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-grade students from the racially separate urban and suburban schools of Connecticut.
She retired to Idaho in 2004 where she now works with the city to reduce municipal and community greenhouse gas emissions.
