As the University of Idaho College of Education finds a new beginning in a new building, Dean Corinne Mantle-Bromley said she thinks it”s a good time for a new beginning for herself as well.
“It”s a good transition point,” Mantle-Bromley said.
Mantle-Bromley announced earlier this month that she intends to retire during the summer of 2016.
“We”re very sad to lose her,” said Marta McClintock, the director of development in the College of Education. “She”s laid such a foundation here.”
McClintock has been working alongside Dean Mantle-Bromley for the last year on the renovation of the Education Building.
Mantle-Bromley has been a strong leader, and has secured over four million dollars in private support for these renovations.
McClintock said Mantle-Bromley is a visionary, leading UI into the 21st century.
Dean Mantle-Bromley said she believes the renovation and construction of the education building is one of her greatest accomplishments here on campus. The building will provide campus with state of the art technology.
Mantle-Bromley said it”s important to have a good place for students and faculty to work together, and noted the building will have several high-tech classrooms.
The College of Education is now beginning the process of finding a new dean to replace her.
Still, Mantle-Bromley has advice for whomever it is that will replace her. She said she hopes her successor will recognize the excellent faculty and excellent students here on campus.
“Take advantage of their expertise,” she said.
After she retires, Mantle-Bromley hopes to indulge in art and practice her weaving. Most of all, she is looking forward to hiking, and not just up and around Moscow Mountain.
Mantle-Bromley spent late May to early June hiking the trails of Croatia and before that she hiked the South Coast of Wales. She said she now wants to explore the Alps region and get a taste of the local cuisine.
Despite her hiking plans, Mantle-Bromley said she is still going to miss getting to know the students – both of the past and the present.
McClintock said Mantle-Bromley is especially engaging with the alumni and passionate about getting to know them and their stories.
Mantle-Bromley said she is excited to continue her work with the building until her final days on campus and looks back at her work at the university fondly.
“It”s been a wonderful opportunity,” she said.
Marisa Casella can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @marisacasella1