Dr. William E. Fulmer was president of APSCUF from 1998 to 2004. File photo
APSCUF is mourning the loss of Past President Dr. William E. Fulmer, who led the organization from 1998 to 2004. He died Aug. 19 at age 85. Click here to read the retired Clarion University professor’s obituary. APSCUF offices are closed today in his honor.
In 2017, Fulmer reflected on his time as president, during which only one month was not in contract negotiations for faculty, coaches, or both.
“I received enormous personal benefit from my APSCUF service, gaining friendships among many dedicated and talented faculty members and leaders at each of our 14 universities,” he wrote. “And I believe we were able to help and assist many … That is an accomplishment that prevails over all others.”
Fulmer received APSCUF’s Distinguished Service Award in 2004. Clarion University Alumni Association presented him with a Distinguished Faculty Award in 2022.
Professor Emeritus Helen Bieber of Kutztown University reflected on the many memories she has of Fulmer, who encouraged her to run for State APSCUF secretary, a position to which she was elected in 1998.
“No clue what I was doing but Bill was patient, generous with his time and knowledge which led me to what seemed to be a second career,” she said. Bieber served as secretary until 2016.
“I remember Bill driving us to meetings with the Kingston Trio playing on the CD player in his car, I remember his laugh, his interest in what one was saying — always paying attention,” Bieber wrote. “I remember him talking about former students he’d been in touch with and how their success meant so much to him. Bill cared and was caring, about APSCUF, fairness, faculty, but above all, his family, who meant the world to him. May you rest in peace, my friend. You will be missed.”
More Fulmer memories
“While I’m a faculty member at IUP, I was an undergraduate student at Clarion and the student trustee during some of my time there. Dr. Fulmer was the APSCUF president at the time and I learned a lot by observing him. He was also my best friend’s academic advisor, so I also learned indirectly from him through her. As the student trustee, I wanted to demonstrate that I was engaged and made a comment at one of the public meetings that, at the time, I didn’t realize was poorly delivered and made one of the administrators look foolish. It wasn’t my intention to do that, but I didn’t even realize that was the outcome. Through a message delivered by my best friend, he said, ‘You should tell Mimi that she might want to share that kind of information privately and not at a public meeting.’ I have told that story many times and have never forgotten the lesson I learned from him.”
—Mimi Benjamin, Ph.D.
Professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
This post will be updated.
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