Edmund Peckham

Edmund Peckham was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1924. He served in the US Army during World War II. He earned a bachelor's in European history in 1948, and a PhD in American history and foreign policy in 1954. Though he taught history at the University of the Pacific and elsewhere, he spent most of his career in administration. He served as assistant registrar and acting director of admission at Rice University, and as dean of student life at Raymond College at the University of the Pacific. He was hired as Dean of Student Activities at San Fernando Valley College in 1967, becoming Dean of Students in 1969. During his tenure, he oversaw the opening of the University Student Union and the Klotz Student Health Center, and helped shape Associated Students. As Dean of Students, he was often the first person to speak with students protesting racial inequality, the Vietnam War, and other issues. Though he retired in 1991, he remained active on campus. He passed away in 2016.