An advertisement for a new Dean of the College of Education appears in the Chronicle of Higher Education lists “evidence of innovativeness” as a required qualification. A copy of the ad appears mysteriously on the desk of Dr. Dean C. Corrigan, then Dean of Education at the University of Maryland.
Soon after, he receives a telephone invitation from Haskell Monroe, Dean of Faculties at Texas A&M, to visit the campus. Dean C. Corrigan became dean of the college in 1980. Corrigan keeps this ad folded in his wallet for many years afterward.
Under his leadership, the college revises its degree programs in response to the educational reform movements. Dean Corrigan challenges the faculty to form Centers of Inquiry within the college. Within these units, faculty work collaboratively to develop programs and conduct research on needs and issues of the 80s.
With the creation of the Dean’s Development Council in 1982, new funding from corporate and private foundations gives an additional boost to college researchers to explore new ways to meet the challenges of the decade. An innovative scholar loan program begins which leads to the college becoming a leader in the state and nation for producing the most teachers for the fields of math and science.
In response to state legislation in 1980 regarding education courses, the Department of Health and Physical Education changes its name to the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Motor learning is required of all undergraduate kinesiology majors for the first time and previously required coaching classes become elective. In health, community health became the dominant specialty of students.