Renovation Update DEAN’S SUITE TO BE NAMED FOR THE LATE DEAN EVERETT V. SAMUELSON

By Marta McClintock

The dean’s suite in the newly renovated University of Idaho College of Education will be named for the late Everett V. Samuelson, dean emeritus and professor, thanks to a gift by his wife, Lois Samuelson as well as support from Cori Mantle-Bromley, dean of the college, and her husband, Keith.

After a long history working in education, Samuelson — aka Dean Sam — was hired as the dean of the college, serving from 1963-89. When he started his work with the college, it had no facilities, equipment or classrooms. Through his tenure he successfully oversaw the construction of the College of Education, including the KIVA, Industrial Education, Women’s Health Education (now the Physical Education building) and the Swim Center buildings.

Samuelson brought the first external grant to the college in 1965. This effort has grown and today funding worth millions of dollars comes in each year. He also is credited with starting the doctoral program, which was first fully accredited in 1965 and remains so today. He started the Early Childhood program, brought in a grant to develop a special education training program, initiated international programs and recruited students from around the world, including South America, Africa and Asia.

Samuelson served in many national, regional and state associations, organizations and agencies, including service as an executive member of the National Association of Land Grant Colleges and Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. He also was involved in international activities, including serving as a delegate for the first Arab-American Dialogue Conference in Libya and the first Inter-American Conference on Education in Bolivia. He designed and implemented training programs for personnel in the areas of vocational and special needs youths in Ecuador.

After retirement, Samuelson continued to support the university and donated time and money to departments across campus, including athletics, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the College of Education where he and his wife Lois established the Everett V. Samuelson

Educational Leadership Graduate Fellow and Everett V. and Lois E. Samuelson Gift Annuity.

In 2005, the couple was honored with the Idaho Treasure Award, given by the Alumni Association to retired faculty, staff and family members who have made significant achievements in service or leadership to the university in their retirement years. Samuelson died in 2006 at the age of 83. Even after his death, Lois has remained active in Vandal life as well as the Moscow community. She has a master’s degree in special education from UI and taught in Moscow schools before retiring in 1980. Their Vandal roots have continued with their children, Steven and Christine as well as a granddaughter, who all attended UI.