Purdue will miss former Dean

By Laura Pelner
Summer Reporter

Linda Ewing was a role model for students, the type of person one could go to for anything he wanted to discuss, said one of her former students.

Ewing died on Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. She worked for Purdue for over 30 years in the Dean of Students Office as the dean of women and the associate dean of students and much to the University.

Ken Coleman, an associate dean of University Division, said, "Linda was highly respected by all the staff as a very hard worker. She had the highest level of commitment to the University, to the students and to her profession."

Ewing’s former student, Linda Duttlinger, said Ewing had a huge impact on her life. When she was a sophomore at Purdue, in 1967, Duttlinger was sent to the Dean of Student’s Office. "I was sent to her because I was in the process of flunking out. She helped me change my major and do some better work with time management."

Their relationship did not end after this meeting. Duttlinger said Ewing continued to give her good advice whenever she went to see her, and that even after graduation they kept in touch. "The two of us had kept up with each other professionally and personally. I’d seen her through Purdue functions," said Duttlinger.

Ewing gave a lot of time to Purdue. "You talk about a dedicated, loyal employee to the University, you couldn’t have gotten a better one. Her life was Purdue," said Coleman.

Ewing spent a lot of time working with students. Peggy Sullivan, the assistant dean of students, said, "She was a wonderful counselor with students; she was very concerned about student needs."

She was responsible for a lot of academic support programs, including HORIZONS, a program for first generation students attending college; university division, which is for undecided students looking for a major; the Span Plan program, which is a support and grant program for non-traditional aged students; and testing, which includes Day on Campus tests, interest I career tests, the LSAT and the GRE.

Coleman said she shouldered a huge workload in the office. "She had a major role in the office — she left a void. It will be difficult to fill," he added.

Ewing will be missed for her intelligence and experience. Coleman said she’ll be missed for the wisdom of her years and her unique gift of memory.

"Linda had a mind like a steel trap. She’ll be missed for the things she could deliver. She had a great wealth of knowledge that spanned decades. That kind of experience is hard to replace," said Coleman.

Ewing will also be missed for her friendship. Duttlinger said her strongest points were that she was an excellent listener and gave good advice. "I’ve lost a friend," she added.

The memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 19 at University Church. Soller-Baker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Purdue will miss former Dean

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