Owen B. MiddletonSept. 2, 2009 Dr. Owen B. Middleton, professor emeritus of education and professional development at Western Michigan University, died Thursday, Aug. 13. He was 86. Middleton served two years in the U.S. Army during World War II before earning both his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University in 1948 and 1962, respectively. In 1950, received his master's degree from the University of Michigan. Middleton began his WMU teaching tenure in 1964. Prior to coming to WMU, he was on the faculty at University of Vermont and before that had served on the faculty at the College of William and Mary. Previously, he was on the faculty at Michigan State University and had worked at Grosse Pointe Public Schools and Battle Creek Public Schools. Middleton retired from WMU in 1985 with emeritus status. During his tenure, he is credited with opening student teaching centers in Saginaw, Bay City, Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Chicago. He also is recognized for introducing the team teaching experience at the college and organized its orientation and advising office. Middleton also was an international student advisor for graduate programs in the College of Education and was director of the Arab Community College Program from 1979-83, often traveling to Saudi Arabia to visit former students. He was active in a number of community activities in and around the Kalamazoo area, including the Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and as a board member for Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He was an avid sailor and a member of the Flying Scot fleet of Gull Lake and also enjoyed researching his Scottish ancestry. Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu WMU News |
