Former UW-Madison Dean of Students Paul Ginsberg died Monday at age 90 after spending 39 years on campus, according to a university press release.
Serving as dean from 1970-’87, Ginsberg more than doubled the average seven-year term of a dean of students, who oversees the university community by providing support for students and managing misconduct policies, according to the dean of students office website. Ginsberg also attended UW-Madison for undergraduate and graduate degrees and later worked in employee assistance.
Current Dean of Students Lori Berquam said she considers Ginsberg a mentor, according to the release.
"He was a 'giver' and he cared deeply for students,” Berquam was quoted as saying. "His office light in Bascom Hall was usually the only one lit long into the night as he helped students."
Ginsberg began his tenure as dean of students while UW-Madison was known as one of the nation’s most radical campuses due to many anti-Vietnam War protests. However, the national attention accompanying the demonstrations did not get in the way of his care for students, according to the release.
"He was also a man with courage and high expectations who was willing to take on difficult issues such as the alcohol culture and relationship violence," Berquam said in the release.
