ENHP Announces Donn Weinholtz's Retirement
After a distinguished career of nearly 30 years at the University of Hartford, Donn Weinholtz has retired as of June 30. He was Professor of Education and director of the doctoral program in Educational Leadership in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP).
Donn started his career as a high school social studies teacher and track coach in Chapel Hill, N.C. He later served on the faculties of the University of Texas Medical Branch, the University of Iowa, and East Tennessee State University. Donn came to the University of Hartford in 1991 as Dean of the College of ENHP, a position he held for seven years. His teaching areas in the doctoral program included quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, foundations of higher education and ethical issues in educational leadership. For many years, he also taught an undergraduate American Studies course and a leadership course in the All-University Curriculum.
Donn is the author of the Phi Delta Kappa monograph, Restructuring an Urban School (1992). He has also published articles on merging qualitative and quantitative research methods and on effective instruction in clinical, medical settings. The findings from these medical education works were synthesized in a book, Teaching During Attending Rounds (1992), co-authored with Janine Edwards.
His death and dying memoir, Longing to Live... Learning to Die, was published in 2002. He also published a novella, Carolina Blue (2012). In 2007, he founded the online publication Quaker Higher Education, which subsequently led to him editing, along with Jeffrey Dudiak and Donald Smith, the book Quaker Perspectives in Higher Education (2014). From 2015 until 2017, he served as clerk (presiding officer) of the international organization, Friends Association for Higher Education.
Donn served as secretary, vice chair and chair of the University of Hartford Faculty Senate. In 2010 he received the Donald W. Davis All-University Curriculum Award for outstanding teaching and overall contributions within the university’s undergraduate, general education curriculum. In 2013 he received the Oscar and Shoshana Trachtenberg Award for sustained service to the University.
As director of the doctoral program, Donn guided the transition of the program’s leadership focus from K-12 to higher education, and at last count he had advised more than 85 dissertations. During his time as ENHP dean, he managed a major enrollment expansion including the creation of the physical therapy program and doctoral program in educational leadership. He also guided a dramatic expansion of the college’s community involvement, developing the University of Hartford Magnet School, collaborating with the Coalition of Essential Schools, and creating the Hartford Urban Education Network.
Many at the University will also know Donn for literally and figuratively standing up for what he believes at his weekly peace vigils on campus.
Donn’s service to the community surrounding the university has also been noteworthy. He has served on the board of trustees of Watkinson School, as an advisory board member for the Hartford Street Youth, and on the executive board of United Way of the Hartford Capital Area. He was a founding member of the Connecticut Alliance of Concerned Educators and Coordinating Committee Member for Connecticut Partnership for Sustainability Education.
Although Donn is retiring, he will remain connected to the University as Professor Emeritus. His colleagues in ENHP wish him a long, enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.