Corrine E. Kass (1927-) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Corrine E. Kass was born in Moline, Michigan. She attended Southeastern High School in Detroit. Kass graduated from Calvin College in 1950. She went on to earn her M.A. in special education at the University of Michigan in 1955 and earned her Ph.D. in special education and physiology from the University of Illinois in 1962. In 1963, she returned to Calvin, this time as associate professor of education and psychology. In 1966, Kass accepted a faculty position at the University of Arizona’s department of special education, where she would serve for 11 years.  She also worked at the U.S. Department of Education. Kass rejoined Calvin College and was appointed Dean for Academic Administration.

Although she retired in 1992, she was quoted as saying, “I won’t ever be able to fully retire.” She continued to teach classes at Calvin, and served as a temporary director of the graduate studies program. She also continued to work in the field of learning disabilities. She was honored with two prestigious awards, the Wallace Wallin Award from the Council for Exceptional Children and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Michigan.