For forty-five years, Philadelphia and Temple University have been a home away from home for S. Kenneth Thurman. At almost 76 years young, Thurman is looking forward to the next phase of life.
Thurman announced his retirement from the College of Education in October and his retirement is effective June 30, 2020.
Thurman enjoyed his classroom experience and especially working one on one with his doctoral students. While at home, he is looking to explore volunteer opportunities, including working at a hospice, advocacy work in nursing homes, and working with Parkinson's disease, a cause that is dear to him after being diagnosed with the disease. Traveling was also a consideration, but with everything going on in the world, Thurman and his wife don't plan to do any traveling. They are looking forward to traveling in the future. A native of St. Louis, Thurman and his wife currently reside in Voorhees, NJ.
Prior to coming to Temple, Thurman taught at Peabody College at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. Thurman started in the College of Education in 1982. Throughout his tenure, Thurman has witnessed many changes at the college. He has noticed improvements in undergraduate students. "Students seem better prepared for college," said Thurman.
"The College of Education has hired new faculty in the last five to ten years and they are stars in the field," added Thurman.
While an undergraduate student at Washington University in St. Louis, Thurman discovered his passion for education while tutoring low-income kids on campus. It was there working with the young people that he realized maybe teaching is not a bad idea. His original path was medical school.
For many years, Thurman's research and consultation centered on early intervention, with a particular focus on family-centered practice. He was the project director of two grant-funded model demonstration projects that implemented family-centered practices in neonatal intensive care units.
Over the course of his career, Thurman maintained an interest in ecologically-based models of service delivery. His research interests shifted to the assessment of specific cognitive abilities, mindfulness, and gratitude. He taught courses in special education and human development at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Thurman is an active mentor and advisor to doctoral students and has served on a number of major university committees.
"I love interacting with students, they are my ripples," said Thurman. His wife said to him years ago, "you are making ripples in what you do." He tells his students to go out and make ripples.
"Dr. Thurman is a really unique human and a wonderful professor," said Priscilla Danielson, former doctoral student. "His humanity helps us be better humans," added Danielson.
Married for 53 years Thurman's wife worked at Temple University for 35 years. She started in the College of Education and worked in various administrative capacities.
Thurman and his wife set up the S. Kenneth & Marcia W. Thurman Scholarship Fund for an undergraduate or graduate student studying special education at the College of Education with a minimum grade point average of 3.50 at the time of application.
"We feel like this is a way to give back. A major part of the Conwellian tradition is to provide access to students who might not otherwise be able to attend a university. Providing scholarship support is one means by which the tradition can be upheld," said Thurman.