It is with deep regret that we inform the University community of the passing of Dr. Barbara Chamberlain on July 19, following a brief illness.
A devoted and deeply engaged member of our Board of Trustees and a staunch supporter of our institution and our students, Dr. Chamberlain joined the board in 2015 and was reappointed in 2020. She served on the academic affairs/student affairs and nominations committees. Dr. Barbara Chamberlain was the wife of Dr. Mark Chamberlain, our institution’s fourth president, who died in 2014.
Dr. Chamberlain’s life was distinguished by service to others and a tremendous love of learning. She earned two bachelor’s degrees, including one in the school of nursing from our institution in 1988; two master’s degrees, including a master of nursing from the University of Pennsylvania; and a doctorate in nursing from Widener University.
Her career included many years as an intensive care nurse and nursing supervisor. She also taught nursing students at multiple institutions and was past president of the New Jersey State Nurses Association.
Additionally, for more than a decade, Dr. Chamberlain proudly served her country as a senior nurse for the United States Air Force Reserve, retiring with the rank of captain.
One of our most visible and active University trustees, Dr. Chamberlain has supported Rowan for years, both through her philanthropy and her involvement on campus. Her generosity has supported students studying chemistry and biochemistry, as well as those involved with our student-run Emergency Medical Services Squad.
A devout patron of Rowan’s arts programming and the College of Performing Arts, she established medallions honoring graduating seniors in the areas of performing arts education, music production, and singing. Most recently, she funded additional medallions recognizing students in Honors and the MBA program.
Moreover, she was a student in our Community Music School, even performing in a piano recital this past spring. As she has done for many years, in May, Dr. Chamberlain represented the Board of Trustees at every ceremony during Commencement Week, marching—and often dancing—up the aisle, resplendent in her doctoral regalia.
Her family has requested that memorial contributions be made in her memory to the Drs. Mark and Barbara Chamberlain Scholarship Fund at Rowan University.
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