Douglas M. Windham Sr.

Professor Emeritus, Douglas M. Windham, Sr., age 68, died at his home in Tallahassee on October 7, 2011 after an extended illness. A Florida Native Son, he was born in 1943 in St. Petersburg, to Hoyt and Ruby (Hattaway) Windham. The family relocated to Miami where he graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1961, having excelled both academically and in sports. Among many honors, he was a National Merit Scholar, a member of 1961 Boys’ State, and a recipient of the Southern Scholarship and the Julian Daniel Scholarship. He continued his education at Florida State University: B.A. ’64, M.A. ‘67, and Ph.D. ’69, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He was awarded a Spencer Foundation Fellowship for outstanding research and twice awarded Earhart Fellowships. Professor Windham began his career as a Graduate Instructor of Economics at Florida State University and as an Associate Professor at Florida A&M University. He was later a member of the faculties of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The University of Chicago, and the University at Albany (NY). During his long Academic career Professor Windham had the privilege of hooding many brilliant Doctoral candidates who today continue to carry forward his economic and educational philosophies in countries around the world. In 1986, Professor Windham was honored to receive the ODK Outstanding Graduate Award from Florida State University. In 1991 he was named a Distinguished Service Professor representing the State University System of New York. “Considered a world renowned Economist, recognized for his contributions in the area of Public Policy; the Efficiency and Equity of Education; and In the Fight Against World Hunger,” the University at Albany awarded him their highest honor, that of Academic Laureate in 1996. Two awards always remained very special to him. One was a treasured plaque given to him by his students at Florida A &M in 1969 stating: “You are one WHITE Man we Believe in Plus an OUTSTANDING Professor.” And later in his career (2002) he was deeply touched to receive a special award from President Gayoom and the Republic of Maldives Ministry of Science and Technology thanking him for his Intellectual and Scholarly Contribution to Maldives. Among the more than 50 countries in which he worked, he especially enjoyed his frequent returns to the beautiful people of Maldives and their sincere quest to reach above the level of a developing country. The Windham family travel odyssey began in 1972 with a two year Ford Foundation Assignment in Malaysia. Professor Windham, often accompanied by his wife and children traveled extensively during his 35 year career, and he considered the world his home. Countries in which he worked included Liberia, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Somalia, Cameroon, Mongolia, Indonesia, Nepal, China, Yemen, Russia, Romania and Jamaica. His expertise in Educational Finance and Development was in great demand and as well as working directly with Foreign Governments, he was a lead consultant with World Bank, Asian Development Bank, USAID, UNICEF, UNESCO, OECD, IIEP, UNDP. Etc. His nephew, Matthew, described him as: “An Intellectual Lion with a wonderful sense of humor and the capacity to always make the right decisions.” He was appreciated for his honesty, loyalty and integrity and he always tried to do the right thing. Between his frequent trips abroad, he enjoyed family life, books, classic movies, golf, Football (especially Seminole Football), and while watching televised football games created a fine collection of French Needle Point Wall Tapestries. Professor Windham published continuously throughout his career. “The Oyster Based Economy of Franklin County, Florida, 1964, (his first publication with Marshall Colberg) was found a useful historical reference during the recent 2010 BP Oil Spill Disaster Assessment, though it was commissioned 47 years ago. His book: “Education, Equality and Income Redistribution,” (Harvard - Heath Lexington, 1969) began a serious national dialogue on the role of “The poor paying disproportionately to educate the rich;” and it still presents very relevant measures in Educational Finance today. “ Incentives Analysis and Individual Decision Making in the Planning of Education“, Edited by Frances Kemmerer and Douglas M. Windham (1997, UNESCO) continues to be valuable reference in guiding global educational planning and marketing. And his pioneering work in Sector Assessments and Educational System Analysis set the ground work for many educational Development programs in place today throughout the world. Perhaps one of Professor Windham’s many legacies will be the internet availability of many of his respected publications addressing these contemporary economic and educational issues. Professor Windham is survived by his beloved wife and partner, Jeannette (Poirier) Windham; their children; Karen Windham Lamar, and John Lamar; Professor Douglas Windham, Jr., and Kimberly Davis Windham; a precious grandson born, 10-10-11; many warm and caring family members, and cherished friends, students, and colleagues around the world. The family will be eternally grateful to very dear friends and caregivers, John Bailey and Cornelia Robinson whose continuous kindness, loyalty and gentle support over many years meant the world to him and all those close to him. The family has expressed their wish that gestures of sympathy in lieu of flowers be made by charitable donations to the "Johns Hopkins University", c/o Neurology Development Office, 100 North Charles Street, Suite 436, Baltimore, MD 21201 with a note indicating the donation is in memory of Professor Douglas Windham for the benefit of Parkinsons Stem Cell Research.

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Douglas M. Windham Sr.

September 5, 1943 - October 7, 2011