Louis Romano, professor emeritus in the Department of Educational Administration, died on Sept. 30, 2013 at age 92. He was on the faculty from 1966 until 1997.
Romano came to Michigan State University after a successful career as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Wisconsin and Illinois. During his time as a professor, schools were still accommodating the post-World War II baby boom and Romano offered them an important idea.
According to Professor Emeritus Philip Cusick, Romano advised districts to stop building “junior” high schools and to look at what early adolescents needed. He had adopted and enhanced the “middle school” perspective, which meant asking schools to provide increased options, opportunities with less structure and more attention to and respect for the emerging adolescent.
In the College of Education, Romano created classes in “the middle school,” advised hundreds of students and schools, initiated the state and national associations of “middle school educators” and convinced dozens of districts — many of them in a building phase — to orient grades 6 through 8 or 9 toward a “middle school” perspective.
Romano also authored 125 children’s books, including the famous “Gertie the Duck.” Read more about the hugely popular story and his life.
Memorial contributions can be made to support a scholarship fund in the MSU College of Education being set up in his name. Send gifts to: 535 Chestnut Rd, Rm 300, East Lansing, MI 48824, or call (517) 432-1983.