Dear Members of the TC Community,

We write to share the sad news of the passing of TC alumnus Thomas A. Leemon (Ed.D. ’68, M.A. ’62), Professor Emeritus of Higher Education in the Department of Higher and Adult Education at Teachers College, on August 8 at the age of 91.

Following roles as Assistant Dean of Students at Colgate University and Assistant Dean of Men at Rutgers University, Professor Leemon joined the TC faculty in 1967 and taught at the College for nearly three decades. His passion and deep dedication to researching and teaching Higher Education Administration were evident to his colleagues and students — he advised and mentored countless masters and doctoral students during his time at TC and helped nurture the next generation of educators with kindness, wisdom and encouragement.

His many scholarly accomplishments included the publication of numerous articles and the seminal book, The Rites of Passage in a Student Culture: A Study of the Dynamics of Transition (Teachers College Press, 1972), in which Professor Leemon explored how initiation processes influence the transition and social development of undergraduate students. The book became an influential text in understanding college student life and social development using an anthropological perspective.

In addition to his degrees from Teachers College, Professor Leemon earned a B.A. in 1956 and an M.A. in 1957 from Stanford University. 

On behalf of the Teachers College community, we convey our heartfelt condolences to Professor Leemon’s family members, friends, colleagues and former students and mentees. We are sharing an obituary and friends are welcome to share remembrances.

Sincerely,

Laura Smith
Interim Provost and Dean of the College
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Psychology and Education

Sonya Douglass
Professor of Education Leadership
Chair, Department of Organization and Leadership