In Memoriam: Ralph Gilden (BS42)


cheerleading squad, Ralph Frank Gilden put students first.


W Gilden, an EMU faculty member and


administrator from 1942 to 1982, died May 8 at St. Joseph’s Village in Ann Arbor. He was 93. Gilden earned a bachelor’s degree


in industrial education from Eastern Michigan University (then Michigan State Normal College) and a master’s degree in industrial education from the University of Michigan. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, the Phi Delta Kappa education professional organization, and Iota Lambda Sigma, an honorary professional society in workforce development. During his four decades at EMU,


“Dean Gilden” was the University’s jack- of-all-trades, working in 16 different offices. He started as a faculty member in the Department of Industrial Education. At various times, he also directed admissions, student activities, student affairs, the Campus Interact Center, parent relations, school-college relations, the EMU Parents’ Association, Alumni Relations, and the EMU cheerleading and pompon team. “He was one of Eastern Michigan’s


greatest ambassadors,” said Gregory Peoples, EMU’s ombudsman. “He truly loved this University and just about everything about it. He was asked to serve in a variety of roles during his long tenure here, and he was happy to do so as long as he thought it was beneficial to the institution.” And although he took the helm as interim president in 1974 to help the


Jaclyn Carey (BS08) has joined Mason Inc. of Bethany, Conn., as a brand manager.


Shannon Link (BS08) was appointed as the interim camp director of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor.


Ralph Frank Gilden


University, he never aspired to keeping the top job. “In those [top] positions, you can isolate


yourself from the students and only deal with administrators, policy and budgets,” he said in a 1982 article in The Ann Arbor News. “You begin to see the power plays. I’m no gofer for everybody. I treat the janitor and the president the same.” Gilden, who had been 1935 state champion in the 440-yard dash at East Detroit High School, was often seen running on the track at EMU, doing pushups or playing paddleball on his lunch hour. Some of the cheerleaders he supervised called him the “lean dean” and gave him a baseball shirt with that moniker. He was inducted into the E-Club Hall of Fame in 1983.


Michael Nagy (MBA08) has been promoted to the position of vendor services consultant by DTE Energy.


Susan Banning (MSN09) has earned her family nurse practitioner degree from the University of Toledo Medical College.


hether it was asking a student about his motorcycle or revitalizing the


Bob England, director of the Rec/IM,


remembers Gilden’s musical interest, and credits Gilden with having the Alumni Memorial Chimes in the tower of Pierce Hall repaired during his tenure as interim president. Gilden’s last position at EMU was


director of alumni relations. In that job, he established 19 alumni chapters. “My goal was to stay here 40 years


and to leave while my enthusiasm was still high,” Gilden said in the campus press release announcing his retirement. After he retired, Gilden remained


active in the EMU Alumni Association, and came back to serve as grand marshal in the 1982 Homecoming Parade. He enjoyed sailing the Great Lakes (competing in the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race), fishing, swimming, motorcycling and traveling. He played golf until he was 86. Survivors include Pauline, his wife of


70 years; daughters Bette Hammond, of East Lansing, and Kathy Gilden Bidelman, of Ypsilanti; son Jerry Gilden, of Cincinnati, Ohio; four grandchildren, and one great- granddaughter. Gilden was most associated with his


work in admissions and financial aid, said Bidelman. “That was probably his main thrust


of where he liked to be,” she said. “He helped so many students over the years. I’ve heard from many people who said, ‘If it wasn’t for Dean Gilden, I wouldn’t have gone to college.’ ” “Ralph Gilden had many fine qualities,” said son Jerry Gilden. “He always believed, first and foremost: get a good education and make a better life for yourself.” —Ron Podell


Benjamin Garrison (BS09) was accepted into the 122nd


Michigan


State Police Trooper Recruit School and is now assigned to the Mt. Pleasant post for field training.


Rebecca Reenders (BS09) is now the administrator of the Edgewood


Assisted Living Center in Saginaw Township.


Lindsey Younger (MA09) has been named as the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Resource Genesee.


Eastern | FALL 2011 33


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