School of education dean at CLU to retire

Terry Cannings, dean of California Lutheran University's school of education, will retire in May for health reasons.

Cannings, 65, brought an international perspective to the Thousand Oaks university's doctoral program, regularly taking students to visit schools in other countries, county schools Superintendent Charles Weis said.

"For the short time he was at CLU, he had a huge impact," said Weis, who joined one of the trips. "These programs open up your way of thinking. You're seeing how other countries are dealing with the same issues but solving them in different ways."

Carol Bartell will return to CLU to serve as dean for two years while the private university searches for a permanent replacement for Cannings. Bartell served as the school of education's dean from 1995 to 2003. She is now serving as director of the doctoral program at CSU Northridge's college of education.

"She will bring a rich background of teaching, scholarship and school administration, as well as program development and evaluation," said Chris Kimball, who recently was named president of CLU.

As dean, Cannings said, he tried to bring a practical element to CLU's school of education, attracting local educators as both students and instructors. Now, he said, superintendents look to CLU to develop their districts' future leaders.

"We need to continue to build these community links," Cannings said.

Before coming to CLU, Cannings was dean of the school of education and behavioral sciences at Azusa Pacific University. He also was an associate dean of education at Pepperdine University.

In retirement, Cannings plans to move to Tahoe Donner, where he and his wife, Judy, have a second home. The Australia native also is looking forward to traveling.

Meanwhile, the school of education "is headed in the right direction," he said. "I think that was my task."

--- Published in the Ventura County Star on March 19, 2008