Dean Jane Bray sent the following message to the Darden College of Education & Professional Studies faculty and staff community on September 18, 2018. - Ed.

Dear Colleagues:

I write with the very sad news that I was recently informed of the passing of two professors who worked in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies. As the faculty are the heartbeat of our college and often times, colleagues share a special bond with one another, I wanted to make sure you are aware of their deaths.

Michael Dingerson, professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling and former associate vice president for research and graduate studies and professional education, died on July 30, 2018. He was 75. Dingerson specialized in higher education and particularly enjoyed working with Ph.D.-level graduate students.

"Michael was respected and beloved by students as an excellent instructor and valued by faculty as a colleague," said Dr. Dana Burnett, professor of practice emeritus of educational foundations and leadership.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 48 years, Gail Dingerson; 3 daughters, Kristine Simms (Noel), Melissa Boerner (Brad), Lynne Betzhold (Eric); 8 grandchildren, Christian, Hadley, and Katherine Simms, Quinn and Tyndale Boerner, Gage, Maylen and Juliet Betzhold; and a brother, Steve Sullivan (Becky).

Judith Schapiro, professor emerita of child study and special education, died on February 24. She was 90. Schapiro specialized in special education and served as the chair of the Department of Educational Foundations and Special Programs in 1980 and then as chair of the Department of the Department of Child Study and Special Education from 1981-1984. A lifelong educator, Schapiro was a principle investigator on Old Dominion University's Training and Technical Assistance Center (T-TAC) grant, a project supported externally by the Virginia Department of Education.

"Judith was very interested in faculty pursuing grants and supportive of program development, including exploring different course options and outreach opportunities with the community," said Dr. Robert Gable, professor and eminent scholar of communication disorders and special education.

Judith is survived by her sister, Corine Gold; her son, Mark Schapiro (Susan); and her daughter, Mona (Jeffrey); and her fiercely loved grandchildren, Andrew Schapiro, Adam Schapiro, Laura Schapiro, Harris Flax and Jeremy Flax.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jane S. Bray, Dean
Darden College of Education and Professional Studies