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Joseph Kauffman Obituary

Age 84, of Madison, died on Friday, September 29, 2006, at Attic Angel Place. An Emeritus Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, he was also named Emeritus Executive Vice President of the UW system and served as Dean of Students and Professor of Counseling and Behavioral Studies while serving as Dean from 1965-68. After serving as President of Rhode Island College from 1968-1973, he returned to the Madison campus as director of UW-Madison's Doctoral program in college and university administration. Although he formally retired from his department in 1987, he continued to conduct a professional development seminar named in 2003 the Joseph F. Kauffman Administrative Development Program. He conducted the seminar until December, 2004. Dr. Kauffman was born December 2, 1921, in Providence, Rhode Island to Frank and Lena (Andelman) Kauffman. He graduated from Norwood High School, Norwood, MA, in June, 1939. Dr. Kauffman received a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Denver University in 1949 where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa; a Master's from Northwestern University in Sociology in 1950; and awarded a Doctoral degree in Education from Boston University in 1958. His siblings were: the late Jordan; the late Irving; Charlotte Martin of Sandwich, MA and Evelyn Blumberg of Falmouth, MA who survive him. His late wife Gladys (Davidson) passed away in 1999. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage. He is also survived by his daughter Marcia (Krasnow) of Norwood, MA and his son G. Frank Kauffman of Los Angeles, California and G. Frank's three daughters - Alana, Chelsea and Alexandra Kauffman. Dr. Kauffman sang in big bands throughout his high school years and was lead singer with the Tommy Reynolds band after graduation. He toured with the Tommy Reynolds band for a year-and-a-half playing in well known venues, including the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. His last job in June, 1942 was a battle of the bands against Joe Venutti's group with Kay Starr as lead singer. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, spending four years with the 85 Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy. In 1943, he married the late Gladys (Davidson) of Boston. After attending Denver University and Northwestern, Dr. Kauffman was the first Assistant to the President and Dean of Students at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. In 1960, Dr. Kauffman joined a 15-member committee responsible under President John F. Kennedy for establishing the Peace Corps. As Director of Training, Dr. Kauffman developed the training program for Peace Corps Volunteers and assisted Peace Corps Director, Sargent Shriver. Dr. Kauffman was responsible for developing and supervising Peace Corps training programs at more than 70 colleges and universities. From 1963 to 1965 he served as Staff Associate and Consultant to the American Council on Education and as Director of Higher Education for the American Personnel and Guidance Association in Washington, D.C. In 1965 Dr. Kauffman became Dean of Student Affairs and Professor of Counseling and Behavioral Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and served until 1968. From 1968 to 1973, Dr. Kauffman served as President of Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island. (He was designated President Emeritus in a ceremony at the college in 1983.) In 2004, The Kauffman Center building was dedicated on the campus of Rhode Island College. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson selected Dr. Kauffman to serve as a member of the Peace Corps National Advisory Council, chaired by Vice President Hubert Humphrey. He served until 1970. From 1973 to 1987, Dr. Kauffman was Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He served as Executive Vice President of the University of Wisconsin System from 1980 to 1983. He routinely advised the U.W. Board of Regents on the selection of presidents and chancellors. Dr. Kauffman served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Association for Higher Education from 1986-87. He served on the first committee on Women in Higher Education. In 1986, he was designated as emeritus Executive Vice President by the UW Board of Regents. He received the Distinguished Career Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education in 1987 "in recognition of lifetime achievement, ideas, experiences and mentorship to future generations of higher education scholars." Dr. Kauffman was the author of several books and numerous articles in the field of higher education, including The Selection of College and University Presidents and At the Pleasure of the Board: The Service of the College and University President. He served as a national consultant to other higher education institutions in their searches for presidents and chancellors. He received research grants from the Ford Foundation to further enhance his numerous contributions to the field. Dr. Kauffman received Honorary doctor's degrees from St. Norbert College, The University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. He served on the St. Norbert College Board of Trustees from 1977 to 1988. His greatest joys were his wife Gladys, and children and grandchildren. He loved mentoring and contributing to the development of the talents of students, faculty and administrators, and the university as an institution of learning. He was committed to making the world a better place. The family would like to extend its deep gratitude to Dr. Kauffman's personal nurse, Susan M. Reusser, R.N. for her dedication, expertise and care during the last several years. Graveside services were held October 1, 2006 in Madison, WI. Donations may be made to Kauffman Center at Rhode Island College, Providence, RI 02908 or UW Foundation, 1848 University Av, Madison, WI 53726.

Published by Boston Globe on Oct. 8, 2006.
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Joseph Kauffman was an extraordinary individual. His contributions to world peace and to peace through knowledge -- reflecting his lifelong leadership in higher education -- are truly immeasurable. The Rhode Island College family extends its deepest condolences to the Kauffman family.

Michael Smith

October 11, 2006

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