PULLMAN Lenoar “Len” Foster, newly appointed interim dean of WSU’s College of Education, died unexpectedly late Thursday or early Friday at his home in Pullman — one week after the death of his colleague Dean Judy Mitchell. The cause of death has not been confirmed.
“This is a profound loss and another tremendous shock to the faculty, staff and students in the College of Education who are still grieving over the June 26 passing of Dean Judy Mitchell,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd. “Our deepest sympathies are extended to Len’s family and friends, and to our colleagues in the College of Education.”
“Len provided tremendous leadership to the college during a difficult time,” added Warwick M. Bayly, WSU provost and executive vice president.
One week earlier, on June 26, Mitchell drove herself to the Pullman Regional Hospital on because she wasn’t feeling well. After an initial examination, she was released and scheduled to return on Saturday for additional tests. Foster picked her up at the hospital and took her home. On Saturday, June 27, she did not show up for her appointment and could not be reached by phone. Foster and the police found her dead at home in bed.
Later, Foster was named the interim dean for the College of Education.
Later, Foster was named the interim dean for the College of Education.
On Friday, July 3, Foster’s colleagues went to his home after he failed to attend Mitchell’s funeral, at which he planned to make a statement on behalf of the college. They found he had died either Thursday evening or Friday.
Foster joined the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling Psychology in 2003. He served as associate dean for three years, overseeing administration, research and graduate studies. He was a nationally known researcher whose interests included school principals, school reform, social-cultural influences in schools, higher education, and historically black colleges and universities.
Len received three degrees at the University of Nevada, Reno, including an Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Higher Education. He did advanced studies at Stanford University, where he was a William Coe Fellow in American History.
His many accomplishments included editing The Black College Review: Research, Policy and Practice. A former high school principal and curriculum coordinator, he was active in the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In 2007, he won the National Service Award from Division A (Administration, Organization, and Leadership) of the American Educational Research Association.
Foster’s funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Sacred Heart Parish, 440 NE Ash St., Pullman.
Related:
- College of Education EduCoug blog
- WSU Obituaries 2009 and comments
