Dr. Howard A. Sulkin, 1941-2018
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership mourns the loss of Dr. Howard A. Sulkin, the Institute’s President and CEO from 1984 to 2009.
Dr. Sulkin was a specialist in organization theory and adult education, who received his MBA and Doctorate from the University of Chicago. During the 25 years of his presidency, Spertus Institute greatly expanded its offerings to foster learning through both traditional means and through arts and culture.
In 2007, he realized the dream of opening a magnificent new building for Spertus Institute, designed to serve the growing needs of students, participants, and visitors. This building has been recognized with local, national, and international critical acclaim including an array of architectural awards. Architect Mark Sexton called Sulkin a great client. “He started with the big idea that the building was a gift to everyone who would live in or visit Chicago. That’s a profound way of thinking for an institution — usually it’s more about the institution and less about the impact.”
Sulkin was passionate about forging partnerships and collaborative relationships with organizations in the Jewish world, the arts and academic communities, and with those pursuing interfaith understanding. He served as Board Chair of Chicago Parliament of the World’s Religions, was on the planning committee for the 1993 Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, and traveled throughout the world on behalf of the work of the Parliament.
Prior to his tenure at Spertus Institute, Sulkin was a Vice President and founding Dean of the School for New Learning (SNL) at DePaul University. A competency-based educational program for adults, SNL was and remains an important initiative, having become an internationally aclaimed leader in self-directed learning.
To his dear wife Connie, his children, grandchildren, and many friends and colleagues, all of us at Spertus Institute extend our deepest condolences.
Y’hi zikhrono livraha. May his memory be for a blessing.
Source: Spertus Institute website, October 26, 2018
Photo: Dan Rest from grand opening of the Spertus Institute building
Connie, this is Mazher, today a sad day for me to find dear Howard is no longer with us. Please talk to me. He was a best person and friend.
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