FSD 20-06 Memorial Resolution for David Raden, Purdue University Northwest Professor Emeritus Sociology

Faculty Senate Document 20-06 Memorial Resolution for David Raden, Purdue University Northwest Professor Emeritus Sociology

Purdue University Northwest Faculty Senate

Submission Date: August 21, 2020

Senate Action and Date:

For Information, August 28, 2020

David Raden, a professor emeritus of sociology who taught at Purdue University Northwest for about 50 years, died on Friday, July 31, 2020.

He was born in Detroit and moved with his family to Los Angeles. The family settled in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 1955, master’s degree from the University of Chicago in 1963, and his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1973.

He joined the faculty at Purdue University Calumet in 1966 and was especially interested in social justice issues, focusing his scholarship on racial attitudes and authoritarianism. He retired from the faculty in 2016 and continued to teach part time until 2019.

Anne Edwards, chair of the behavioral sciences department from 2013 to 2016, spoke frequently with Raden about his dedication to teaching and his students.

“I benefited from his wisdom, his many years of experience at Purdue Northwest, and his kindness,” she said.

Ralph Cherry, an associate professor of sociology and colleague for about 30 years, said Raden served as a founding coordinator of the program and taught core courses in sociological theory, research methods, criminology and social problems.

“He was truly a dedicated sociologist, teacher, and researcher known for encouraging his younger colleagues and students,” Cherry said.

Linda Mura, professor emerita of sociology at PNW and colleague for about 40 years, remembered Raden as a kind, caring and supportive colleague.

“He maintained high standards for our students and our program,” she said. “Generations of our graduates have a strong foundation in sociological theory and research methods from his classes.”

Alan Spector, professor of sociology and a colleague for about 40 years, recalled Raden as a superb teacher and lively but friendly debater who emphasized the psychological aspects of social organization and change.

“Beyond his work with students, he was also a strong advocate for student and faculty rights and an encouraging mentor to younger faculty and to students, a number of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and other walks of life,” Spector said. “The impact of his life and work continues to reverberate and reproduce itself in the lives of those he worked with and taught.”

Cezara Crisan, an assistant professor of sociology and former student of Raden, now teaches some of the courses that she had taken from him as an instructor.

“I would have never dreamed that one day I will become his colleague,” she said. “That was such a wonderful and enriching experience, as we used to have conversations about our teaching and student mentorship. I will miss and remember him fondly.”

Raden is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sons, Stephen and Daniel Raden; one brother, Benard; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Raden; and his nieces and nephew, Charlotte Kaufman, Lisa Raden and Tony Raden.