In July, the University will lose what some have called one of the University’s most influential administrators to retirement.
Barbara Fuhrmann, dean of the College of Education announced in October 2003 that she will retire and move to Richmond, Va. to live closer to her family.
“It’s my time to leave,” Fuhrmann said.
Fuhrmann came to LSU in 1995 as an associate dean and professor of education. She became the dean of the college in 1998.
In her six years as dean, Fuhrmann said she is proud of many things the college has accomplished.
“We’ve created much more collaborative relationships with other departments,” Fuhrmann said. “We’ve got whole new relationships with Arts & Sciences and Agriculture.”
She said the college has provided students many more opportunities to receive hands-on experience earlier in their schooling. In the past, education students would not receive experience in the field until late in their college careers. Fuhrmann said that this was possible because of new partnerships with professionals in the community.
“In everything I have done, it has been facilitating others’ growth as well as my own,” she said. “That’s what a teacher does.”
Under her leadership, Fuhrmann said the College of Education also has created an alumni association and has made great strides in its public relations efforts.
“It’s hard to let people know what you’re doing unless you go out and talk about it,” she said.
Fuhrmann said she looks forward to leaving behind budgets and personnel issues.
“We’ve significantly raised the amount of external funding,” she said. “But, there is never enough money to do what you want to do. I think that this college needs to continue to pay attention to external funding and to continue its high standards on the undergraduate and graduate level.”
Fuhrmann said she feels she will leave the College of Education in a good situation.
“We have a very solid reputation across the country,” she said. “I think LSU is doing very well, but needs to do a whole lot better. We’re headed in the right direction.”
Fuhrmann said that the College of Education needs to have more involvement in the national agenda, and in the future needs to devote more resources to research efforts.
Before she retires, Fuhrmann said she will work to complete the college’s accreditation report, which is due Aug. 1. The college will be evaluated for accreditation in the fall.
“I want to leave feeling very comfortable that the report is in good shape,” she said.
Jane Collins, professor of communication sciences and disorders, and Harold Silverman, vice-provost for arts, sciences and engineering, are chairing the search committee to fill the dean’s position.
Fuhrmann said she will not be involved in the search for her replacement, but will be available to assist if she is asked.
“I have made a couple of nominations to the search committee,” Fuhrmann said.
Once she retires, Fuhrmann said she plans to get more involved with education policy work at the federal level — while also taking time to play with her two young grandchildren.
“I’ve loved LSU,” she said. “I love the College of Education. It was a difficult decision, but I am comfortable with that decision.”
Fuhrmann said her replacement should have no problem fitting in with the LSU community.
“The University has been extremely welcoming,” she said. “This is the easiest place to become part of that I could imagine.”
According to a University press release, the search for Fuhrmann’s replacement will begin in the next few days.
“We are sad to see Barbara leave, but the school will continue to live out the tremendous legacy she has left,” Collins said in the press release.