In Memoriam
Barbara J. Rossier 1934 – 2013
he entire USC Rossier family mourns the passing of Barbara J. Rossier MS ’62, MEd ’70, EdD ’71, who, along with her husband Roger, made the extraordinary commitment that named the USC Rossier School of Education in 1998. At the time, their $20 million gift was the largest to any education school in the United States. Dr. Rossier passed away on August 11 at age 78. A dedicated educator and prominent entrepreneur, she was president of the Orange County-based Rossier Educational & Mental Health Enterprises Inc., which provides mental health services to public and private schools. As a licensed clinical and educational psychologist, she was also a highly respected consultant regarding children and adults with learning and mental health issues. She and her husband met at Westminster High School, where they served as school counselors, and their careers were punctuated by their dedicated volunteerism to the University of Southern California. In addition to serving as a USC trustee since 1999, she chaired the USC Rossier Board of Councilors from 1990 to 2010. Their landmark gift was made at a time when several private selective institutions had downgraded or eliminated their education programs. “Not only did the Rossier naming gift lay the groundwork for a significant upgrade of USC’s education programs, it also sent a message to the higher education world of unqualified institutional support for the field of education, encouraging a number of other peer universities to upgrade their own education programs,” said Guilbert Hentschke, who was dean of the school at the time. “Barbara was not only a generous and loyal educator; she was a courageous risk-taker and friend.” The donation was a catalyst for a series of initiatives at Rossier that have propelled the school to its current stature. It is now viewed as a premier institution for graduate study in urban education, and has risen to the top 20 graduate schools of education by U.S News & World Report. “Barbara Rossier’s impact on USC Rossier is very significant, and I am so grateful for her generous commitment to the school, our students and our graduates,” said Dean Karen Symms Gallagher. “She will be missed.” USC President C. L. Max Nikias stated, “With her extraordinary energy, unshakable integrity and abiding commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities for everyone, she was an inspiration to us all.” Her husband and two sons, Dan and Steve, survive her, along with grandchildren Jennifer, Seth and Sophia, and daughters-in-law Linda and Anne.
Barbara Rossier delivered the Commencement Address at the USC Rossier Master’s Ceremony in 2010.
Barbara and Roger Rossier (center) are joined by USC President Steven B. Sample (left) and California Governor Pete Wilson at the announcement ceremony for the Rossier School in 1998.
Roger and Barbara Rossier are joined by Dean Gallagher at an event.
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