Kentucky education has lost a great friend.
--Richard Day, KSN&C
I am deeply saddened by the news of Bob Sexton’s passing.
His leadership of the Prichard Committee since it was created
in 1983 was characterized by an unswerving dedication to
strengthening Kentucky’s public education system. Bob received
many accolades during his lifetime, but I will always think of
him as a friend, both on a personal level and because of his
efforts to improve the lives of Kentucky’s children.
-- Commissioner Terry Holliday
Jane and I were very sad to learn of Bob Sexton's passing.
Jane and I were very sad to learn of Bob Sexton's passing.
I have known Bob for years, and working with him
on the Prichard Committee…gave me the opportunity
to see firsthand how deeply he valued Kentucky
and how committed he was to improving education
for all our students.
His passing leaves an enormous void in our state.”
-- Gov. Steve Beshear
"...a passionate advocate for improved education in Kentucky."
-- Senate President David Williams
"...his heart was in the classroom and doing everything
he could for public school students in the state.
This is a great loss for every public school student in the state.
They have lost a great advocate.”
-- Sharron Oxendine, KEA
“never met an advocate who worked harder for
seeking better opportunities for the children of this state.”
-- Brad Hughes, KSBA
This from Jim Warren at H-L:
Robert F. Sexton, executive director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and a major force for education in Kentucky for 30 years, died Thursday night.
Sexton, who lived in Lexington, had been battling cancer since last year, although a co-worker said Friday that Sexton's death was unexpected.
A Louisville native, Sexton had headed the Prichard committee since its creation in 1983. He also had been deputy director of the Kentucky Council on Higher Education, now known as the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and was an administrator at the University of Kentucky and a professor of history.
Sexton, 68, earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his doctorate in history from the University of Washington. He was a visiting scholar at Harvard University and at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University.
He probably was most widely known for directing the Prichard Committee, a statewide non-partisan group that advocated for better education across Kentucky.
But Sexton also helped found the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program and the Commonwealth Institute for Teachers; was founder and president of the Kentucky Center for Public Issues; and chaired the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington. Sexton served on numerous boards, commissions and panels that addressed education, low-performing schools and other aspects of education.
He was author of a 2004 book, Mobilizing Citizens for Better Schools, published by Teachers College Press of Columbia University.
Bob, 68, died Thursday night, August 26, 2010, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Pam, and children Rebecka Sexton, Robert Sexton, Ouita Michel (Chris), Paige Papka Richardson, Perry Papka, granddaughters Willa Dru and Lily Kathryn and the Prichard Committee staff. Memorial plans are pending.
3 comments:
Bob had countless wonderful achievements. Not among them, but also notable, is that he was a high school running back and (he said) scored the first touchdown in Waggener High School history. What an inspiring guy.
Indeed.
We got to talk about his Waggoner days recently. He said his old coaches would tease him saying, you may be small but you're slow. But the thing about Bob - the thing that has always has been true about Bob - is that he stayed on his feet. It made him an all-conference runner and it made him a steady and tireless advocate for better schools.
I'm saddened to hear of the death of Bob Sexton. His contributions to education reform in Kentucky will not be forgotten. I'm sorry that he did not live to see Kentucky become the recipient of Race to teh Top funds.
The one weakness of the Prichard committee was its inability to involve teachers in its work. Many knew nothing about the organization, yet this was the organization that was championing education reform throughout the Commonwealth. I know the
Prichard Committee will endure, as it should, but it will be much stronger if it involves Kentucky's educators.
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