Remembering Dee Abrahamse, first CLA Dean
Dorothy “Dee” de Ferranti Abrahamse, professor emerita in the history department and former dean of the College of Liberal Arts, passed away last month.
Abrahamse, a specialist in Byzantine history, was one of the first female tenure-line faculty members in the history department when she came to CSULB in 1967. She was named the CLA’s founding dean in 1993 when the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and College of Humanities merged to form the CLA and held the position for almost 15 years. “Dee was there to make things work, to ease the way for as many people, programs, students and staff,” said Frank Fata, who served as CLA associate dean for 10 years, beginning in 1994.
Before taking the reins at the CLA, Abrahamse was chair of the history department, co-coordinator of women’s studies, and dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. She also was appointed interim provost twice, first in 1993 and again in 2006. “Dee Abrahamse has left us, but her contributions to the enrichment of the academic experience of students, staff and faculty will outlive our presence at California State University, Long Beach,” former CSULB Provost Karl Anatol said.
Following her retirement in 2007, Abrahamse continued to support the CLA with generous donations, including an endowment that began in 2009 and continues to fund “Thematic Initiative” events in the college. She also made significant contributions to the Human Trafficking Task Force and the Immigrant Rights Coalition. “I've known Dee Abrahamse both socially and in the Department of History for 40 years,” history lecturer Linda Alkana said. “Beyond her academic and administrative abilities, Dee stood out for being a reader, a thinker and a compassionate activist.”
In addition, Abrahamse served on the Long Beach Public Library Foundation board for 15 years. In a tribute published by the foundation, she was remembered for her “thoughtfulness and strong internal guide, positivity, selflessness, and hard work on behalf of our city’s libraries and our community.
CLA administrative services manager Terie Bostic said Abrahamse was a “joy to work with ...[and] the most gracious and understanding boss I've ever had.” Current history department chair David Shafer added that Abrahamse was a “true academic leader who never shied away from the defense of the liberal arts.”
Abrahamse was 81.
Top photo, from left to right: RGRLL professor emeritus and former CLA associate dean Frank Fata, Dee Abrahamse, former CLA associate dean and CSULB Interim Provost David Dowell
