Remembering ‘the best within us’ — Dr. James Rhatigan
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A national figure in educational activism, Dr. James J. Rhatigan, professor of education and senior vice president emeritus, died yesterday, Sunday, Oct. 27, in Wichita. Rhatigan served Wichita State for nearly six decades, arriving on campus in 1965 as the university’s first and the nation’s youngest dean of students, at just 30 years old In 1971, he became vice president for student affairs, holding that position until 1997 and going on to serve as senior vice president until his retirement from WSU in 2002.
“Dr. Rhatigan was an exemplar of integrity, compassion and principled leadership,” WSU President Rick Muma says. “His professional commitment to excellence in higher education and his ethic of caring for those he came in contact with, most especially students, were simply unparalleled. His influence here at Wichita State won’t be forgotten.”