Roger M. Beattie ~ May 13, 1935 - May 3, 2011
Dr. Roger M. Beattie served in various roles as teacher and administrator in the
Boston public school system until his retirement in the late 1980's. He lived in Center
Barnstead, NH and still had the desire to contribute to education and student
development. In 1990 he began investigating options for making those contributions
at the University of New Hampshire and eventually found his way to then president
Dale Nitzschke and Bruce Mallory. Prof. Mallory, the Chair of the Department of
Education, jumped at the opportunity to utilize his skills and experience. Dr. Beattie
initially taught a section of Exploring Teaching and supervised teacher education
graduate interns, but his role quickly expanded.
Boston public school system until his retirement in the late 1980's. He lived in Center
Barnstead, NH and still had the desire to contribute to education and student
development. In 1990 he began investigating options for making those contributions
at the University of New Hampshire and eventually found his way to then president
Dale Nitzschke and Bruce Mallory. Prof. Mallory, the Chair of the Department of
Education, jumped at the opportunity to utilize his skills and experience. Dr. Beattie
initially taught a section of Exploring Teaching and supervised teacher education
graduate interns, but his role quickly expanded.
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| The Humble Servant |
Dr. Beattie soon noticed the small number of students of color at UNH and the lack of support systems for them. He collaborated with Judy Spiller to create and develop the CONNECT Program for students of color in 1994 and began working to recruit minority students throughout the Northeast, encouraging them to consider UNH as a good choice for their education. Enrollment of minority students grew and CONNECT gradually evolved and expanded into the substantial orientation and support program that it is today.
Minority and nonminority parental attitudes of the effectiveness of elementary magnet
and nonmagnet school programs was the title of Roger Beattie's dissertation as he
earned his Ph.D. from Boston College in 1990. He continued to be an instructor
in education at Simmons College until recent years and was an accomplished
artist. Painting in acrylics and oils, his images often reflected strong religious,
spiritual, and cultural themes as he displayed his work at numerous regional settings.
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| Mary Magdalene |
While Dr. Beattie held a variety
of official titles during his 21
years at UNH as adjunct
professor; special assistant to
the vice provost for enrollment
management; and coordinator
of minority recruitment
and retention, his central
role never truly seemed
to waver. He was a focused
and enthusiastic supporter of
minority students, determined
to witness their academic
and personal success despite
financial, academic, and
personal challenges. He was
never hesitant to take the
evening phone call from a
student (or parent) needing
counsel. He was known for his willingness to 'text' back and forth with students
since he now saw that as the most effective way to communicate with them,
and for personally escorting undergraduates to the appropriate person or
office to make sure they took care of critical details that kept them in school.
He was also famous for his ongoing Academic Honors Lists, proudly taping them to his
office door each semester as he knew it was important to highlight those who were
thriving, as well as facilitating support for those who were struggling. Large numbers of alumni and current students considered Dr. Beattie to be a highly
significant mentor in their lives. Many others saw him as a father figure and role model.
Students in CONNECT and dozens of staff with whom he worked honored him in May, 2010
with a surprise birthday party. Even at his age of 75 he was focusing our attention and
his quiet energy on the aspirations and needs of students of color.
of official titles during his 21
years at UNH as adjunct
professor; special assistant to
the vice provost for enrollment
management; and coordinator
of minority recruitment
and retention, his central
role never truly seemed
to waver. He was a focused
and enthusiastic supporter of
minority students, determined
to witness their academic
and personal success despite
financial, academic, and
personal challenges. He was
never hesitant to take the
evening phone call from a
student (or parent) needing
counsel. He was known for his willingness to 'text' back and forth with students
since he now saw that as the most effective way to communicate with them,
and for personally escorting undergraduates to the appropriate person or
office to make sure they took care of critical details that kept them in school.
He was also famous for his ongoing Academic Honors Lists, proudly taping them to his
office door each semester as he knew it was important to highlight those who were
thriving, as well as facilitating support for those who were struggling. Large numbers of alumni and current students considered Dr. Beattie to be a highly
significant mentor in their lives. Many others saw him as a father figure and role model.
Students in CONNECT and dozens of staff with whom he worked honored him in May, 2010
with a surprise birthday party. Even at his age of 75 he was focusing our attention and
his quiet energy on the aspirations and needs of students of color.
Dr. Roger M. Beattie leaves behind his wife, children, and grandchildren.
We will miss you Dr. Beattie!
