Dean Michael J Ellis
On August 20, 1998 Michael Ellis retired as Dean of the College of Applied Life Studies, a position he had held since 1989. Born in London, England, Michael married Margaret, his childhood sweetheart, and went on to a distinguished career as an amateur athlete; becoming a member of the 1960 British Olympic Team as a hammer thrower. Academically, after earning degrees from Loughborough College, Nottingham University and London University, he "crossed the pond," to obtain his master's and doctorate degrees in Kinesiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty in Kinesiology, and served as the Director of the Motor Performance and Play Research Laboratory after earning tenure as an Associate Professor. His distinguished career as an academician resulted in his selection as a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Leisure Sciences, and his managerial aplomb garnered him a progressive succession of increasingly rigorous administrative posts, including the Directorship of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Dalhousie University in Canada, the Head of the Department of Physical Education at the University of Oregon, and finally as the Dean of the College of Applied Life Studies at the University of Illinois.
As Dean, he oversaw the expansion of the College, and navigated the academic units through a very tumultuous period of campus-wide "budget reallocation." From the standpoint of the Division, Dean Ellis confronted a host of organizational and programmatic difficulties head on, with integrity and an omnipresent concern that the needs and interests of persons with disabilities be served first and best in each and every decision. Organizationally, in spire of his great desire that the Division continue its clinical model, incorporating service, teaching and research, he made the tough decision to separate the Division's service and academic programs, when it was determined that their separation would more fully empower both to seek and attain their potential.
During his tenure, Dean Ellis served as an articulate advocate for the Division and more precisely, for those with disabilities whom the program served. This was epitomized by his response to a 1996 external review committee recommendation to the Provost that Beckwith be closed, and that the residents be "integrated" into other residence halls. In spite of the substantial appeal which that recommendation had to central campus administrators, Dean Ellis sought out student, community and former resident input on the matter. Upon learning that the aforementioned Beckwith Hall stakeholders vehemently disagreed with the recommendation, he took up the gauntlet and served as their advocate in the deliberative process, strongly recommending that the uniquely beneficial resources and services of Beckwith Hall be retained and nurtured. As a result, Beckwith has received strong central campus support during the ensuing years.
Dean Ellis vigorously pursued his vision of a world class disability and rehabilitation research program to balance the world class service programs already in existence. To that end, he worked to create a disability research program which would honor in perpetuity the philanthropy of such individuals as Mary Jane Neer, Wayland Smith, Jerene Keller, and John D. and Minnie R. Schneider, and the visionary leadership of Timothy J. Nugent. This research program, officially recognized as the Mary Jane Neer Research Program in Disability Science, is dedicated to the support of applied disability and rehabilitation research designed to directly and substantially improve the life opportunities and circumstances of persons with disabilities. It is also worth noting that in the aftermath of the Division's organizational restructuring, Dean Ellis devoted many hours not only to the development of this research enterprise, but also to the implementation of an egalitarian management structure which afforded the Division equal input and control with regard to research program decisions, in spite of the fact that it no longer housed an academic program.
As a testament to his interest in and dedication to the enterprises of the Division, Dean Ellis served the Division in capacities ranging from Acting Director to Santa Claus. With regard to the latter, he donned the attire of the jolly ol' elf himself (albeit a tall elf at 6' 5") to dispense gifts and cheer at the annual DSO holiday party for local children with disabilities.
Dean Ellis was an accomplished statesman for the Division, capable of articulating problems and solutions related to the education of persons with disabilities with any audience. Indeed, he so impressed alumnus Dr. Kenneth Viste with his efforts on behalf of the Division and persons with disabilities that the latter provided a gift to underwrite a "Michael Ellis Annual Lecture on Disability Science and Practice" for the next 10 years.
The Division would like to express its sincere appreciation for Dean Ellis' energy and devotion to its many causes, and would like to wish both him and Margaret many years of joyous new adventures in their retirement!
