Douglas “Doug” R. Campbell, an associate professor emeritus with the Department of Teacher Education, died on November 25, 2024. Campbell was with the college from 1983 until his retirement in 2015.
Campbell was a dedicated Spartan, having been an educator with the college for nearly 32 years. During his career, Campbell helped to establish the Office of Student Writing Assistance (OSWA) at the College of Education. In this role, Campbell aided many graduate students with their writing to help them effectively communicate research, teaching and education topics.
Christopher Reimann, former senior research specialist with the college, knew Campbell first as a student, and later a friend and colleague. Reimann spoke about Campbell’s unwavering dedication to supporting graduate students. “Doug was an incredible resource for Ph.D. students in the college. He was especially supportive of international students, whether as an advisor or dissertation chair, or by using his keen understanding of college and university policies and practices to help them successfully navigate a path to degree completion.” Long after the courses Campbell taught had ended, he would continue supporting student writing.
In addition to his commitment to assisting students, Campbell served on several faculty committees that were responsible for establishing many of the recognizable programs that have helped the college earn its top-rank over the years. Reimann shared that Campbell’s well-documented records of this work are now stored in the MSU Archives for future scholars to explore.
MSU Professor Lynn Paine shared: “Doug was an anthropologist of education who made contributions in many key areas of our college’s life and the life of the Teacher Education Department. He was treasured by graduate students as a supporter, advocate, mentor and teacher, serving on countless dissertation committees, helping students think through and navigate the dissertation process and writing.”