Condolences on the passing of Former VCAA, Sandy Singer

Sandy Singer

Dear Colleagues:

With great sadness, I share news of the passing of Dr. Sandra M. Singer, who served as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at the former Purdue University Calumet from 1992-2002. She remained on the faculty for many years, retiring in 2012 as a Professor Emerita of Psychology.

Although I did not have the honor of working with Dr. Singer personally, several of her former colleagues here at PNW shared with me this week that during her tenure as vice chancellor, she was highly focused on faculty development and excellence in academic programming. Early on, she saw the importance and promise of online instruction to the future of our students and provided extensive resources and training for faculty members. Under her leadership and vision, the faculty digital learning certificate was developed and now nearly 250 faculty have completed it.

Furthermore, she was passionate about mentoring women faculty for leadership roles both privately and through formal mentoring programs. She was committed to social and equity issues and sought opportunities to be active in the community, serving as the president of the TradeWinds board of directors, a member of the regional board of directors for the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, and president of the board of the Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council.

Dr. Singer earned her doctorate degree in Developmental Psychology, Human Genetics from the University of Colorado in 1975, where she had previously earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Prior to joining the Hammond campus, Dr. Singer was a faculty member and administrator at the University of Southern Indiana.

Dr. Singer’s obituary notes that a memorial service will be held at a later date.

My condolences to the many PNW faculty and staff members who have lost a colleague, mentor, and friend.

Sincerely,

Kenneth C. Holford, Ph.D.
Chancellor, Purdue University Northwest