Retirement tribute to James Freeland
James Freeland, clinical assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies, will retire in December 2023 after a 56-year career as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and Purdue University College of Education professor.
The College gave a reception in his honor on November 9, 2023, attended by colleagues, family, and friends.
Phillip J. VanFossen, interim dean of the College, gave a tribute to Freeland, followed by remarks from several other colleagues. VanFossen spoke of Freeland’s 40 years as a K-12 teacher, principal, and superintendent, followed by 16 years at Purdue as a faculty member in the Department of Educational Studies.
“Jim brought passion and commitment to working with students, and to preparing them for administrative and building licensure positions,” VanFossen said.
Additionally, Freeland served as the Purdue University representative on the state’s University Search Team working with Indiana school boards searching for school superintendents. He was also a consultant to the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS).
“I’ve really enjoyed the interaction with different school corporations,” Freeland said. “The challenge is to find somebody who can fit that school’s culture.”
VanFossen explained just how many Indiana school corporations Freeland touched: “He impacted 290 Indiana school corporations, the majority of them rural.”
As an example of Freeland’s Indiana impact, VanFossen mentioned a recent letter he received from the East Gibson School Board in Oakland City, IN. “Dr. Freeland and the entire University Search Team have been a tremendous help in our search for our new Superintendent,” the letter said. “This is a vital service provided to a corporation such as ours.”
In Freeland’s online faculty profile, he said, “My primary research focus centers on the needs of small and rural school districts in both Indiana and across the country. Along with other members of the Purdue’s Educational Leadership Initiative for Small and Rural Schools team, I have engaged in several studies of small and rural school districts in Indiana counties.”
Several colleagues mentioned not only Freeland’s work, but his friendship with them. “Jim’s been not only a great colleague but a great friend all these years,” said Marilyn Hirth, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies.
“One of the things I’ve always respected is how kind you are,” said Christine Rienstra Kiracofe, professor of educational leadership and policy studies.
As a professor, Freeland impacted students in building level licensure and educational leadership and policy studies. But he is proudest that he began and ended his long career as a teacher. “Still the best part of my day when I was a superintendent was to go read to the kindergartners,” he remembered. “They were so full of promise and our responsibility as educators was to nourish their love for learning.”
Freeland thanked his wife, Mary. “She’s been my listening post and the one I knew I could always count on.”
“As department head, I have received numerous emails over the years from students expressing their gratitude for Jim Freeland’s guidance,” said Ala Samarapungavan, interim department head of educational studies. “He has been an exemplary mentor to our graduate students and is known throughout the state for his service. I cannot think of a better ambassador for our department and college and we will miss him!
Summing up his career, Freeland said, “I’ve been very blessed to have those opportunities.”
Freeland began his education career in 1967 as a math and science teacher for grades 1-8 in Greensburg, IN (1967-1971), then served as a principal at Westwood Elementary School (1971-1975) and Batesville Middle School (1975-1985), both in the Batesville (Indiana) Community School Corporation (CSC). In 1985 he began serving as superintendent of the Batesville CSC, a position he held until starting as a visiting professor in the College’s Department of Educational Studies (2007-2010), then becoming a clinical assistant professor (2010-present).
Congratulations, Jim!
Sources: Phillip J. VanFossen; James Freeland, jfreland@purdue.edu