COEHS Alumni Association Newsletter - Winter 2009 Edition
Department of Special Education Mourns Loss of Dr. Craig Fiedler
The Department of Special Education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh mourns the loss of a dear friend and colleague. Dr. Craig Fiedler passed away January 4, 2009, after a year long battle with cancer. Dr. Fiedler contributions to individuals with disabilities and the university community were many and substantial.
Above all, Dr. Fiedler was a teacher and advocate for individuals with disabilities. He generously shared his passion and expertise with students and colleagues. All who knew Craig Fiedler were affected by his passion and commitment.
Throughout his career, Dr. Fiedler assumed a multitude of administrative positions at the university, college and department levels. Most notably, Dr. Fiedler served the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh as Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Interim Dean of the College of Education Human Services, and several years as Department Chair. Through his dedicated leadership and commitment as Department Chair the Department of Special Education has become recognized as one of the premier programs in the region.
Dr. Fiedler was a nationally recognized scholar. He was the author and co-author of four books, multiple book chapters, and numerous articles on a range of topics including advocacy, family empowerment, and special education law. Dr. Fiedler was co-editor of Journal of Disability Policy Studies (1999-2008). Dr. Fiedler was a presenter at international, national, regional, and local forums. Dr. Fiedler's significant contributions to the university, college, and Department of Special Education touched all of us who were his colleagues and students. Dr. Fiedler's tremendous energy, idealism, intellect, and concern have served to shape us as professionals and individuals. His efforts on our behalf have undoubtedly made us all better teachers and advocates for individuals with disabilities. He will be sorely missed. Copy of the obituary can be found on page 12.
On October 21, 2008 a new endowed scholarship initiated by the Department of Special Education in COEHS at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was announced. This scholarship is to honor Dr. Craig Fiedler who retired in May 2008 due to health concerns: he passed away January 4, 2009.
The scholarship announcement was made at a reception in the COEHS with Dr. Fiedler, his wife, close friend Kent Koppelman, Dean Yeo, colleagues, and friends present. The Dr. Craig Fiedler Special Education Scholarship was initiated in appreciation for the significant contributions made by Dr. Fiedler to the field of special education, the Department of Special Education, and the university community. His commitment to individuals with disabilities has been demonstrated as a parent, teacher, advocate, and administrator. This student award is intended to recognize those who have demonstrated substantial commitment to advocacy in support of individuals with disabilities through personal interactions, professional activities, educational pursuits, and leadership roles.
By his own admission Craig Fiedler's journey to his position as a special education professor was improbable and circuitous. With a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, (UW-L) he next graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law in 1977 and began a two-year career as a legal services attorney in Appalachia (Southeastern Kentucky). Moving back to his hometown of La Crosse, Wisconsin in the summer of 1979, he eventually decided that being a lawyer was not the fulfillment of his dreams. He became the coordinator of a volunteer program for individuals with disabilities in La Crosse and earned a master's degree in special education from UW-L in 1982. By now, he realized that his ambition was to teach at the university level. He enrolled in a doctoral program in special education at Kansas University, earning his Ph.D. in 1985. His first university teaching position was at the University of New Hampshire where he was a faculty member for two years. A yearning to return to Wisconsin caused him to accept a faculty position in the Department of Special Education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he served as a professor from 1987 to 2008. His passion for teaching future special education teachers was fueled by his experiences as a parent of a daughter with severe and multiple disabilities. Dr. Fiedler maintained an active research and writing agenda on the issues of special education law, ethics, supporting and empowering families of children with disabilities, advocacy, and inclusion. His greatest joy was working with wonderful colleagues within the Department of Special Education and students during his 21-year career at UW Oshkosh.
Individuals considered for this scholarship must meet the following criteria: 1) Applicants must be an undergraduate or graduate student in special education. 2) Applicants must demonstrate the impact on his/her life of a personal relationship with an individual with a disability (i.e., what has the relationship taught the applicant about life?). The individual with disabilities may be a family member, a close friend, or a neighbor. 3) Applicants must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities by citing at least one example where they engaged in advocacy and/or leadership activities.
The scholarship will be awarded in the spring at the University’s Honors and Awards Ceremony each year starting in April of 2009. The scholarship award will be credited to one recipient’s next tuition obligation at UW Oshkosh. Interest earned will be used to fund the scholarship thereby making the total award variable each year. Applications may be obtained at the Department of Special Education in the COEHS.
Individuals wishing to contribute to this scholarship fund may send contributions to:
UW Oshkosh Foundation
For the Dr. Craig Fiedler Special Education Scholarship
842 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Please reference The Dr. Craig Fiedler Special Education Scholarship Fund #8436 on your check.
Any questions please feel free to contact Janice Stark; COEHS Advancement Director via e-mail at starkj@uwosh.edu, via phone at 920-424-3380 or via mail at the College of Education & Human Services, 800 Algoma Blvd -Oshkosh, WI 54901
