Donald C. Howard

Donald C. Howard, 82, of New Bedford and Dean of Students for many years at UMass Dartmouth died Saturday, October 20, 2012. Born in Chicago he was a son of the late Robert A. and Flora E. (MacNeil) Howard. He moved from Boston to New Bedford over 45 years ago. Donald graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications in 1954 and in his senior year was selected as "BU's Man of the Year." Furthering his education, he obtained his Master's Degree in Higher Educational Administration from Columbia University in 1963.

Donald's career began with Westinghouse Electric Corporation in its Pittsburgh Advertising Department. In 1956 he became Boston University's Assistant Director of Planning and Development. Following those experiences in 1965, he became the Dean of Men at Wagner College in Staten Island.

The next career move began what was to became the passion of his life, that of becoming the Dean of Men at the former Southeastern Massachusetts University, the predecessor to UMass Dartmouth. In 1966 he became the Dean of Students, a position he held until his retirement in 2001. In his long tenure at the University, he received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service to University Award in 1997 and the Alumni Association University Service Award in 1998. He also was named the recipient of the National Association of Student Personnel Administration's Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean in 2001, among the top national awards in the student life profession. Additionally, in 2008, Donald received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from UMD at the annual commencement exercises. Undeniably greater than the awards was the investment he made in countless students lives as a mentor and these relationships became life long friendships.

Apart from the University, Don was active in Massachusetts politics. A staunch Democrat, he served for many years as the Ward 5 Democratic Committee Chairman in New Bedford and as a delegate to numerous conventions. He was appointed by his dear friend and former Governor Michael Dukakis to two 3-year terms on the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. Additionally, he served for over 16 years on the Board of Trustees of Gordon College, Wenham, MA.

He is survived by three nieces, Beverly Howard, Lois Brooks and her husband David, and Beth Gibson and her husband Jeff, all of New Jersey; two great nieces Meg Freeman and her husband Joel, Kate Brooks, and a great nephew, Robert Brooks. He also is the brother of the late Robert A. Howard, Jr. Also Kristin and Matthew Morrissey and their four children were his lifelong friends and Massachusetts surrogate family who lovingly cared for him during his later years. In addition to these named, he is survived by a long list of loving friends whom he influenced and loved deeply and who will long remember him for his great passion for life, the values he lived by and his ability to invest immeasurably in others.

Visiting hours will be Friday 5-8 at the Waring-Sullivan Homes of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington Street, Fairhaven. The funeral service will be 10 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, New Bedford, leaving the funeral home at 9 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Foundation, c/o the Donald C. Howard Scholarship Fund, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747.