Dr. Merle Strong

Dr. Merle Strong, professor of educational administration and director of the Center on Education and Work from 1968 to 1990, passed away on July 23, 2008 at home in Madison.

Over his 41-year career in education, including 20 years at UW-Madison, Dr. Strong provided exceptional leadership service for the field of vocational and technical education. Prior to his UW-Madison appointment, he served in the U.S. Office of Education (1959-68) and directed a curriculum development laboratory at Ohio State University (1955-59), while completing his Ph.D. Merle’s major contributions included consultation with international agencies on the development of policies and institutional development in Iran, Peru, Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia and Jamaica. He served as president of the National Association of Industrial and Technical Teacher Educators, and in 1985 received the Outstanding Service Award from the American Vocational Association. A number of Dr. Strong’s graduate students held leadership positions in the Wisconsin Technical College System.

Visitation with the family will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Ave., Madison, Wis., with services to celebrate Merle's life directly following at 1 p.m.