Memorial Resolution
PROFESSOR EMERITUS HOWARD TIMOTHY BATCHELDER

(November 24, 1909-April 26, 1984)

Howard Timothy Batchelder, son of Carlton Harvey and Marsha Fayer Batchelder, was born in Greensboro Bend, Vermont, November 24, 1909. In 1931 he married Mary Lockwood Sternenberg. To this union were born two sons, William Howard and Robert Wesley.

Howard--or "Dr. B." as he was affectionately known by his colleagues, secretarial staff, and students--received his BS. degree from West Texas State in 1936 and his MA. and Ph.D. degrees from the Univeristy of Michigan in 1938 and 1942 respectively.

Howard T. Batchelder gave leadership to the education profession in many ways as teacher, administrator, teacher educator, international educator, consultant, editor, author, and researcher. For six years he served the public schools in Texas as principal and teacher of social studies and English. His career in higher education began prior to his coming to Indiana University. For four years he served on the faculty at Mississippi State College for Women, leaving there as professor and head of the Department of Education for an assignment with the U.S. Navy, Bureau of Naval Personnel. For three years he served the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant Commander with responsibilities in the areas of curriculum development, test construction, and research.

In 1947 Howard Batchelder became a member of the faculty of Indiana University. He was promoted to associate professor in 1949 and to full professor in 1953. For seven years, from 1947 until 1954, he served as Director of Student Teaching in Secondary Schools. His ingenious leadership in the development of the professional semester for student teaching brought the School of Education to the forefront in teacher education in this country. He served as Associate Dean of the School of Education and Director of Graduate Studies from 1954 until 1968. Within this period he served as Director of the Divsion of International Contracts with projects in both Pakistan and Uruguay. During this time he also was instrumental in the establishment of cooperative doctoral degree programs with institutions both inside and outside the State of Indiana. His leadership in these areas catapulted the school to its high status in state, national, and international ranking.

Howard was a person of unbelievable energy. While giving leadership as an administrator in the School of Education, he served as consultant and editor for a series of 24 films in teacher education, wrote the Report of State-Wide Study of the Public Schools and Teacher Education in Indiana, and wrote many booklets and articles for the Association for Student Teaching (now the Association for Teacher Educators). He was co-author of several editions of Student Teaching in Secondary Schools, a textbook recognized as a standard for student teaching and used widely in teacher preparation institutions throughout the country.

Howard's international activities were centered around the school's contractual programs in Thailand, Pakistan, and Uruguay. In the Thailand project he actively participated as a consultant in the development of the graduate program at the College of Education and Chulalongkorn University.

He served as campus coordinator for the Pakistan and Uruguay Projects from inception to 1968. His leadership in the Pakistan Project led to the successful establishment of the Institute of Education and Research (Graduate School of Education) on the new campus of the University of the Panjab.

In 1968 he requested and was granted a change in assignment from administration to teaching. He continued in this assignment until his retirement. On May 7, 1976, by action of the Trustees of Indiana University, Dr. Howard T. Batchelder was awarded the title "Professor Emeritus of Education." Upon retirement Howard and Mary Lockwood moved to Sun City, Arizona, where they lived until his death on April 26, 1984.

Dr. Batchelder's unique characteristics and contributions to Indiana University and the School of Education can best be summarized by statements made by two of his doctoral students. One stated:

Rarely if ever have I had an instructor as fine as he... He presented the theory of the curriculum course so explicitly and in such an interesting, challenging manner that I am giving serious consideration to specializing in this field... He demonstrated by the example he set what good course organization, meaningful objectives, and enthusiastic teaching can mean to a class.... He displayed a genuine respect for his students... If I could take another course with this remarkable teacher I surely would, because he is, in my opinion, a master of the arts.

The other, who had just completed his Ph.D. degree wrote:

One of the major contributing factors to this undertaking was the kindness and understanding of Dr. Howard T. Batchelder, who served as my doctoral committee chairman and supervisor of my work as a counselor in the Graduate Division Office... I feel certain that my professional qualifications have been greatly strengthened through his patience and careful deliberation.... His adherence to high academic standards and his convictions regarding the uniqueness of each individual student are more than theoretical. They are exemplified by his daily conduct, and those of us who have worked with him for any length of time are better for our association.

In the minds of those who knew him best, his image is best portrayed by a colleague at Indiana University when he wrote:

A kind gentleman in the true sense, one who always has time for the problems of others, one who expects the best from all persons, and a sincere professional who demands the most of himself-- this is Howard Batchelder.

Be it resolved that this statement become a part of the proceedings of the Bloomington Faculty Council and that copies be sent to his widow, Mary Lockwood Batchelder, and to his sons, William H. Batchelder and Robert W. Batchelder.

Ernest W. Horn
William T. Voorhies
Vernon Pace

Commemorated by the Bloomington Faculty Council: October 16, 1984