Church, Robert L.
Biography
Robert L. Church received both his M.A. in history (1961) and Ph.D. in the history of American civilization (1966) from Harvard University. His dissertation addressed the development of the social sciences as academic disciplines at Harvard, 1869-1900. After serving as assistant professor of education and history at Harvard, 1967-1970, Church came to Northwestern University in 1970 as associate professor of education and history. He was promoted to professor of education in 1975.
Church began his administrative career at Northwestern in 1974 as the School of Education's associate dean for academic affairs. While in this position he conceived and implemented an interdisciplinary program in human development for students seeking careers in the fields of human services. In 1979 he left this post to become dean of the University's summer session. Church remained dean of the summer session until 1986.