![\"\"](\"http:\/\/news.utoledo.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/webAliceSkeens.jpg\" "\\"Alice")
<\/a>Skeens<\/p><\/div>Dr. Alice Skeens, founding dean of The University of Toledo College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, passed away Nov. 12.<\/p>\n
UT President Lloyd Jacobs said Skeens\u2019 influence on the University, and on students specifically, could not be overstated.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 20 years Alice Skeens served in the dean\u2019s office in the College of Arts and Sciences representing student affairs,\u201d Jacobs said. \u201cBut her advocacy for students spanned the whole of her career at The University of Toledo and the lives of countless UT students and graduates who are better off for having known her.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a letter to the campus community, Dr. William McMillen, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, praised Skeens\u2019 nearly five decades of service to the University.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve not known Dr. Skeens for as long as many of you have,\u201d McMillen wrote, \u201cbut since arriving at the newly merged University of Toledo in 2006, I have valued her wisdom, her institutional memory and her friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skeens earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in English and social sciences from Concord College in 1956, a master\u2019s degree in English, counseling and social sciences in 1960, and a doctor of education degree in guidance and counseling from UT in 1972.<\/p>\n
In his letter, McMillen noted that Skeens didn\u2019t believe a standing committee existed that she hadn\u2019t served on, and many search committees and ad hoc councils also sought her wisdom.<\/p>\n
Skeens served as grand marshal for faculty during commencement ceremonies and as faculty representative to the NCAA. She twice served as chair of the Faculty Senate and assisted with University accreditation visits. From 1987 to 1997, Skeens served as assistant to the president.<\/p>\n