William B. Castetter Circle
About the William B. Castetter Circle
We are proud to recognize those individuals who have remembered Penn GSE in their estate plans through membership in the William B. Castetter Circle of Legacy Donors.
Named for beloved longtime faculty member and former Penn GSE Dean William B. Castetter, GR’48, the Castetter Circle recognizes the generosity and foresight of our alumni and friends who have included the Graduate School of Education in their estate plans. Known to all as Bill, Dr. Castetter was a vital part of Penn GSE in his lifetime and left a generous bequest that provides fellowships for students today.
Members are listed online and in print materials and are invited to special events throughout the year, including those hosted by Penn’s Curtis Charles Harrison Society.
Contact Robert Vosburgh at (800) 223-8236 or (215) 898-6171 or vosburgh@upenn.edu for more information about joining the Castetter Circle.
About Dr. William B. Castetter
Dr. Castetter served in World War II with honors, then was a high school principal in New Mexico and professor and dean of men at Lebanon Valley College before joining the faculty of the Penn Graduate School of Education, where he taught for nearly forty years. At Penn GSE, Dr. Castetter pioneered innovative programs for school administrators, published extensively, and had a profound impact on his many students.
Dr. Castetter served two stints as acting dean, from 1968 to 1969 and 1974 to 1975, ably steering the School through a tumultuous era. Penn GSE was facing serious financial difficulties at the time, and Dr. Castetter’s leadership restored confidence in the School and paved the way for Penn GSE’s intellectual prestige and top ranking today.
In 2004, more than three decades after he successfully led Penn GSE, Dr. Castetter named the School as a beneficiary of his estate, establishing the William B. and Roberta Castetter Endowed Fellowship to support students unable to afford the cost of a Penn GSE education.
He said at the time that he hoped the scholarships would be given to “really creative people who see what’s going on in the world and who are interested in improving education—people who are going to make a world of difference.”
People like Bill Castetter.
Dr. Castetter passed away in 2009, leaving a very powerful legacy.
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