James Rhatigan, Wichita State’s former dean of students and senior vice president of Student Affairs, died Sunday morning after being admitted to hospice two days prior.
At 30 years old, Rhatigan assumed the role of dean of students in 1965, making him the youngest in the country to hold the position. Rhatigan was later named vice president of Student Affairs and worked at WSU for nearly five decades.
After retiring as senior vice president in 2002, Rhatigan served as a consultant to the Wichita State Foundation until 2014.
According to a Letter to the Editor by then-Student Body President Matt Conklin, Rhatigan was “an exemplar of virtue and character” and someone happy to share “innumerable lessons and words of wisdom.”
Conklin referred to Rhatigan, the namesake of the Rhatigan Student Center, as the “grandfather of the student affairs profession.”
In the same letter, Conklin said Rhatigan wished to be remembered for “doing the right things, that will become part of a future culture.”
David Ambler • Oct 28, 2024 at 4:04 pm
We have lost one of the truly great giants of the Student Affairs profession and I have lost a most valued friend and colleague. Jim was our profession’s philosopher and historian. Yet his favorite role was that of Dean of Students at Wichita State. In that role, his greatest contribution was found in the lives of the students he touched for nearly six decades.
Forty years ago this past March, Jim gave a powerful closing speech to the 1994 national convention of NASPA. In the speech titled “Simple Gifts” after the old Shaker Hymn, Jim said this about the role of our profession:
“We do not need a hefty portfolio for this work, nor a book of law, a seat of power, nor personal dominion over anyone. What we need is a set of beliefs, the courage to convey them, and the intellectual, collaborative and collegial skills to make them work.”
I join with the WSU community in mourning the passing of the kind and gentle giant.
David Ambler,
University of Kansas
Dorothy Knoll • Oct 27, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Thank you Jim for all you did for students and student affairs professionals.
Esam • Oct 27, 2024 at 1:56 pm
In the history of ShockerNation, no other individual had been so consequential as Dean Rhatigan. He was a guide and a father figure for generations of students and alumni, many of whom made it to their diplomas only because of his timely advice, intervention, and substantive encouragement.
Ronald Kopita • Oct 27, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Jim was a good friend and colleague. He positively impacted the lives of so many students and other professionals for many decades. He continued to serve the NASPA organization even after retirement. He was a leader among leaders. After I began my service as Vice President of Student Affairs at WSU, I often sought Jim’s advice and counsel. I would fortunate to receive NASPA’s Region 4W James Rhatigan “Outstanding Dean/ Vice Presidents Award in 2005. I will alway remember Jim’s kindness and support. Ronald R. Kopita Ph.D., VP of Campus Life and University Relations Emeritus, WSU
JANE DETERDING • Oct 27, 2024 at 12:20 pm
My heart is sad today. Dr.Rhatigan was a wonderful man and one of my favorite people from my time at WSU. Prayers for his family. – Jane Deterding, BBA ‘83