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University Communications

University of Richmond to Honor Martin Shotzberger, Founding Dean of School of Continuing Studies

October 13, 2005

The late Martin L. Shotzberger, the founding dean of what is now the University of Richmond’s School of Continuing Studies, will be honored with a memorial service in Cannon Memorial Chapel on the first anniversary of his death, Oct. 19.

The service, which will be conducted by University Chaplain the Rev. Dr. Daphne Burt, will begin at 4 p.m. A reception for family and friends will follow in the Wilton Center’s Interfaith Room.

James L. Narduzzi, the school’s current dean, said the goal of the service is to bring together members of the Shotzberger family and retired and current faculty, staff and alumni who remember Dr. Shotzberger and want to honor his memory. Those wishing to do so may contribute to a scholarship in his honor through the Advancement Office, University of Richmond, Va. 23173.

When the university opened a new continuing studies program, University College, in 1962, then President George M. Modlin appointed Shotzberger its first dean.

Shotzberger, who was director of evening classes at Richmond from 1953-58, had been a professor and administrator at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Mich., before returning to become dean of University College. When it opened, the school registered about 1,700 students. At the end of Shotzberger’s five-year tenure, enrollment was nearly 4,000.

Shotzberger, whose left arm was destroyed by German artillery in World War II while he was leading a nine-man reconnaissance squad against the Germans in northern Italy, was awarded a Silver Star for his valor. He went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Richmond and a Ph.D. from Ohio State.