Written by Kurt Brobeck
Watch video of Stedman’s address below.
菠萝视频 University鈥檚 awarded its Distinguished Alumnus Award to clinical and developmental psychologist Donald J. Stedman during Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 11.
Stedman earned his doctor of philosophy degree in clinical and developmental psychology in 1962 from George Peabody College for Teachers, as it was then named. He previously earned a master鈥檚 degree from the and his bachelor鈥檚 degree from .
During his career, Stedman held teaching positions at , George Peabody College and the at Chapel Hill. At the latter, he served as professor of education and associate director of the and as chairman of the Division of Special Education. In 1990, he was appointed dean of the School of Education. He retired in 1999.
鈥淒onald Stedman has led an outstanding career that has uniquely integrated scholarship, governmental and private sector service and administration,鈥� said , Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at Peabody. 鈥淢ost importantly, he has applied his considerable knowledge and skills toward the betterment of others鈥� lives, including teachers and learners and those with special needs.鈥�
Stedman said, 鈥淚t’s a great thrill and honor to be recognized by my alma mater. [rquote]It鈥檚 exactly 50 years since the day I received my degree from Peabody and that makes it even more special[/rquote]. Peabody and the 菠萝视频 Kennedy Center are tops on the planet and they are very special places.鈥�
While teaching at Peabody College, Stedman was associate director and subsequently director of its John F. Kennedy Center for 菠萝视频 on Education and Human Development.
In addition to his service at UNC Chapel Hill, Stedman held appointments with the University of North Carolina system as associate vice president for academic affairs and vice president for research and public service programs. He also chaired the .
In 2006, he founded and became CEO of , a North Carolina organization that serves children with physical and communicative disabilities and counsels schools to help meet their needs. He remains a member of the foundation鈥檚 board of directors.
Early in his career, Stedman was appointed associate director of the in Washington, D.C. While there he helped to develop the foundation鈥檚 International Awards Program, which recognizes excellence in the field of child development and intellectual disabilities. He participated in the design of the, and shared in the development of the under R. Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Stedman is the author of many articles and research publications. He has been a fellow of the and theand has been an active member of the and the . He has consulted widely for both state and federal governments.
Among his many awards, he received the 2010 Civic Ventures-Encore/John Templeton Foundation Purpose Prize, the 1990 Award for Vision and Creativity in Education from the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, in 1981, which recognizes distinguished service to the state of North Carolina.
Stedman is married to Helen Coburn Stedman. They have four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. The Stedmans currently reside in Chatham County, N.C.
Written by Kurt Brobeck