Former TRW CEO Joseph T. Gorman Established Professorship In Memory of Parents
James Henderson, Ed.D., professor of curriculum and instruction in Kent State University’s College of Education, Health and Human Services, has been named the first person to receive the Rebecca Tolle and Burton W. Gorman Endowed Professorship for Leadership. This endowed professorship was established by the late Joseph Tolle Gorman, former CEO and chairman of TRW, Inc., the automotive, aerospace, and credit reporting company headquartered in Euclid, Ohio.
Joseph had strong connections with Kent State throughout his life. He graduated in 1959 and was awarded an honorary degree in 1992 from Kent State. He also served on the Kent State University Foundation Board, the Centennial Commission, and the Campaign Executive Committee. In addition, he endowed a Founders scholarship, the Burton W. Gorman Medallion Scholarship, for Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services.
Joseph named the endowed professorship in memory of his parents, Rebecca Tolle and Burton W. Gorman. Burton’s career in education spanned 57 years, and he was a faculty member in the College of Education at Kent State from 1954 until his retirement in 1972.
The endowed professorship allows Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services to recruit and retain distinguished and highly sought nationally and internationally celebrated professors. Henderson has been a faculty member with the college for the past 26 years, and his research and teaching experience includes curriculum theory, teacher leadership, teacher’s professional development and continuing education, education problem solving, and democratic education.
“I am honored to receive this endowed professorship,” Henderson said. “This professorship will allow me to continue my work with educational leadership by helping with travel expenses to present at three Midwest conferences this fall, continue my work on a graphic novel for teachers, and apply for a TED Talk to address approaches to improve public education.
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Photo Caption:
Kent State University Professor James Henderson has been named the first person to receive the Rebecca Tolle and Burton W. Gorman Endowed Professorship for Leadership.
Media Contacts:
Beth Thomas, ethoma1@kent.edu, 330-672-7838
Kristin Anderson, kander63@kent.edu, 330-672-7907