Purpel, David
biographical statement
Dr. Purpel was born in Cambridge, MA to immigrant parents. He received a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he was later the head of the Master of Arts in Teaching program. He joined the UNCG School of Education in 1972 where he served as chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations. With colleague James Macdonald, he created the nationally recognized doctoral program in Education and Cultural Studies. In 2001, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Research Association. He was the author of many books and articles stressing the centrality of moral and spiritual concerns in education. His teaching and writing inspired a generation of scholars and teachers to re-envision the purpose of education in our society. His strong belief in the need for a world of greater justice and compassion was grounded in the Jewish tradition. As he wrote, "Problems surely can and should be ameliorated, suffering and pain reduced, justice and equity increased, peace furthered, violence lessened, meaning strengthened. To accomplish even limited gains is exalting and exhilarating for as the Talmud teaches, 'It is not for us to finish the task - but neither are we free to take no part in it.'"
Citation:
The Boston GlobeFound in 1 Collection or Record:
Dr. David E. Purpel Papers
Dr. David E. Purpel was an educator, administrator, and scholar at the The University of North Carolina at Greensboro from 1972-2009.
The Dr. David E. Purpel Collection contains articles and books, university materials, personal papers, professional and research materials, correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual materials.