The CSUN community mourns the loss of Edmund Peckham, who was at the university from 1967 to 1991, most of that time spent as dean of students. Peckham passed away on Oct. 31 at the age of 92. Photo courtesy CSUN Alumni Relations.
Peckham was a major sounding board for members of student government. Here he is surrounded by several past CSUN Associated Students Presidents at a CSUN Alumni event. Photo by Lee Choo.
Simply stated, Edmund Peckham — or “Dean Ed” as he was affectionately known — was one of the most influential figures in the history of California State University, Northridge. On Oct. 31, the former dean of students and vice president of student affairs passed away in Arizona at age 92 after a brief illness.
Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations and Annual Funds — and alumna —Shellie Hadvina’s first job at CSUN was for Peckham.
Peckham was born in Worcester, Mass., in 1924. The son of two educators, he served in the U.S. Army from 1942-46. He graduated from Brown University in 1948 with a degree in modern and medieval European history, and later earned his master’s (1949) and Ph.D. (1954) in American history and foreign relations from Harvard University.
He spent his professional career in higher education, beginning with a graduate assistant teaching position at Harvard. He was assistant registrar and acting director of admissions at Rice University in Houston, and then became a professor of history at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. He was later appointed dean of student life of Raymond College, a cluster college started by the University of the Pacific. He arrived at what was then known as San Fernando Valley State College, now CSUN, in 1967 as the dean of student activities and housing. In 1969, he rose to dean of students.
Peckham’s influence on CSUN student life spanned more than two decades. He initiated a comprehensive program to improve student life on campus and oversaw areas such as student leadership/Associated Students, athletics and Greek life. He oversaw the openings of the University Student Union and the Klotz Student Health Center.
Peckham’s impact on students will be long-lasting, Watkins said, noting that the former dean of students supported student causes — especially in the tumultuous early 1970s, when civil rights, women’s rights and the Vietnam War weighed heavily on students at university campuses across the country.
Peckham retired in 1991. However, he remained active on campus, particularly supporting CSUN Athletics. In 1992, he was inducted into the Matador Hall of Fame. He also played a key role in helping the CSUN Alumni Association create and enhance its support of current students through its Legacy and First Generation Scholarship Programs. Dean Ed Peckham Legacy Scholarships are awarded annually to two members of the freshman class.
Peckham was named “Honorary Lifetime Director” of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and in 2000, he received CSUN’s first Emeritus Merit Award at the annual Volunteer Service Awards. In 2002, the award was renamed the Dean Ed Peckham Award.
Peckham moved to Arizona about a decade ago with his wife, Dorry, to be closer to family. In June, the Peckhams celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
In addition to Dorry, Ed Peckham is survived by his children, Douglas Peckham, Karen Mygatt and Bob Peckham; their spouses; grandchildren Aaron, Hannah and Caleb; and a great-grandchild, August.