East Lansing, Mich. – Gwen Andrew, a highly regarded and long-time former Michigan State University faculty member and administrator, died Tuesday, June 14. She was 82.
Andrew joined the MSU faculty in 1966 as an associate professor of social work. She became acting director of the school and director of research on the heart, cancer and stroke regional medical program for the College of Human Medicine in 1967. She was promoted to professor, awarded tenure and named director of the School of Social Work in 1968.
Prior to joining the MSU community, Andrew served the Michigan State Department of Mental Health from 1950 to 1966, as a research psychologist, then chief of the research section, and later director of research.
Andrew served as dean of the College of Social Science from 1975 to 1989. While dean of the College of Social Science, she also served as acting dean of the College of Human Ecology 1985-1987.
Following her leadership in the College of Social Science, she was appointed acting dean of the College of Nursing from 1989-991. Prior to her retirement from MSU, Andrew served as assistant vice provost and director of the Human Health Program from 1992 until 1994.
She held an appointment in the School of Social Work during her entire tenure. She retired in 1995 as dean emeritus and professor emeritus of social work.
“Gwen Andrew was an accomplished and dedicated academic leader to whom I personally owe a great deal, “said John Hudzik, MSU acting provost. “She gave me my start in administration at MSU. As an assistant dean, I worked closely with her, and from her I learned much about the qualities of effective management and leadership. I will always be grateful for the opportunity and example she provided to me.”
Upon her retirement, the College of Social Science Alumni Association established the Andrew Undergraduate Fellowship. The fellowship recognized Andrew for her commitment to undergraduate education and her desire to challenge outstanding students by helping them "practice social and behavioral science through innovative research opportunities." The award is given to College of Social Science seniors based on performance in a research project as a dean's assistant and on an outstanding academic record.
“Dr. Andrew was a respected leader with experience in a wide range of the social and behavioral sciences,” said College of Social Science Dean Marietta L. Baba. “She led the College with vision, decisiveness, and dedication. She set the standard for those of us who followed her as dean.”
“In the School of Social Work, Dr. Andrew is remembered as a fair, intelligent, supportive leader with a strong commitment to research and outreach,” said School of Social Work Director Gary Anderson. “I appreciated her wonderful sense of humor, her practical outlook on life, her desire to avoid the limelight but to make good things happen, her generosity and hospitality, her willingness to listen and give wise advice and counsel, and her commitment to Michigan State University.”
Andrew was born on June 18, 1922. She held a Ph.D. from MSU (1961), and bachelors and master’s degrees (1944 and 1945) from the University of Wisconsin. She was a native of Platteville, Wis., and is survived by a brother, two nieces and two nephews.
Arrangements for a university memorial service are pending.