Delmer "Del" Delano Dunn
Help us celebrate Delmer "Del"! Please share your stories and photos, and invite others who remember Delmer "Del".
Delmer "Del" Delano Dunn, husband of Ann Gregg Swinford Dunn, died on March 22, 2021, after a long and hard fight against Parkinson's Disease.
Del was born on Halloween 1941 in Sentinel, Oklahoma, a small town in southwest Oklahoma, to Robert Patrick Dunn Jr. and Marion Morris Dunn. He was the oldest of five children - having three brothers and one sister. He grew up on a farm outside of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, he headed to Oklahoma State University (OSU) planning to return to Lone Wolf to be a high school teacher. However, once Del saw the big city lights of Stillwater, Oklahoma his plans changed. After graduating from OSU, he went to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin where he received his Ph.D. in political science and public administration. In 1967, the University of Georgia (UGA) made the wise decision to hire Del. Except for 2 years (which turned out to be extremely important years for Del and his two kids) he spent the next 40 years serving UGA and the Athens community in many various and important ways.
In 1969, Del won the prestigious congressional fellowship and headed to Washington D.C. for two years where he worked for Representative Frank Thompson (NJ) and Senator Walter Mondale (MN). While working for then Senator Mondale, Del played a role in drafting the legislation that would eventually establish the Pell Grant Program. One fine day while working for Senator Mondale, he met the beautiful, smart, and talented Ann Gregg Swinford. Del returned to UGA in 1971 and Ann came with him. They married in May 1971, and shared a loving 49-year marriage.
Del's distinguished career as a professor and administrator spanned nearly 40 years at UGA before he retired as the University's Vice President for Instruction in 2006. In 1982, he received the distinction of being named as a Regents' Professor of Political Science, and in 2002, he was named as a Regents' Professor of Public Administration and Policy. Additionally, he served as the Director of the Institute of Higher Education, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Acting Head of the Political Science Department, and Director of the Institute of Government. Most importantly, Del was known as a champion for students. As the Vice President for Instruction, he focused on improving learning opportunities for UGA students and challenging them to perform better academically.
He wrote three books, dozens of book chapters and journal articles, and he has taught hundreds of students, including children of former students.
He served as chair or as a member of more than 50 search committees, evaluation committees, advisory councils, and other groups involved in faculty governance and personnel recruitment.
In 2018, Del received the President's Medal, one of the highest honors at the UGA, in recognition for his extraordinary contributions to the University.
Del was also known as a leader off campus. He served as the President of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and the Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for public affairs and administration. Del was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Athens where he served multiple terms as a Deacon and as an Elder.
Del loved opera and Willie Nelson, UGA, teaching, the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, and his family - not necessarily in that order. He was an intelligent man of integrity, kindness, and, luckily for his family and students - patience. He is survived by his wife Ann, son John and daughter-in-law Christina, daughter Kielly and son-in-law Jon, granddaughters Luciana and Cecilia, grandson Mac, his sister Jan, and brothers Pat and Doug. Del was preceded in death by his parents and brother Mike. Del will be missed but never forgotten.
Special thanks to Keith Keppner owner of Keppner boxing and personal trainer Michele Overend. Del loved Keith's boxing class for those with Parkinson's and Michele's workouts/yoga, both of which helped Del fight the effects of Parkinson's for as long as he did.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to either 1) the Del Dunn Scholarship at https://gail.uga.edu/commit?des=72183003 or by check payable to UGA Foundation mailed to UGA Foundation, Development & Alumni Relations, Athens, GA 30602, with Del Dunn Scholarship in the memo line; or 2) the First Presbyterian Church of Athens at 185 E Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 30601.
A memorial service will be held at a future date.