Rosemarie T. Archangel, 1930-2024, Was Pioneering Faculty Member and Dean

Rosemarie T. Archangel, 1930-2024, Was Pioneering Faculty Member and Dean

March 25, 2024, 12:00 PM

Rosemarie Archangel, PhD, foundational faculty member, associate provost, and dean of the Graduate School, died Tuesday, March 19. She was 93.

Rosemarie was one of SIUE's pioneering members of the faculty. She earned her PhD in kinesiology and came to SIUE in 1962, establishing the Department of Physical Education. Additionally, Rosemarie served as the first female President of the Faculty Senate, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Associate Provost, and Dean of the Graduate School. While Dean of the Graduate School during the late 1980s until the mid-1990s, Rosemarie expanded graduate programs and strengthened the infrastructure supporting faculty research. After retiring, Rosemarie helped establish an endowment in the Graduate School to support excellence in graduate education.

"Rosemarie was a pioneer in gender equity with impact both nationally and locally" Stephen Hansen, PhD, faculty emeritus, said. "She helped author the first Title IX legislation for women's equity in sports as part of the Education Amendments of 1972."

Dr. Archangel was among the first women to provide leadership as a dean at SIUE. Carol Keene, former Dean of the School of Humanities and professor of philosophy said that "Rosemarie was a force for excellence. In a time when money was tight and morale was low, Rosemarie provided leadership for the faculty."

Hansen said that it was more than her skill and determination that made Rosemarie Archangel a tour de force.

"It was her honesty and clear-eyed view of the world. She wheeled a brand-new Corvette around campus and like her car," Hansen said, "she had little patience for pettifogging obfuscation!"

Visitation will be held at the Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, Ill from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25. Services will follow at the Mother of Perpetual Care Catholic Church in Maryville at 1 p.m.