Alice L. Randlett, retired University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Faculty professor, literacy researcher, and Board of Directors member for Mid-State Technical College died too soon on January 10, 2014, her 74th birthday. She was born in Chicago, lived most of her adult life in Stevens Point, WI and traveled extensively.

Alice held a B.S. cum laud in both English and Psychology from UWSP, a Masters in Library Science from Rosary College, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Madison. Her dissertation, “How We Learn to be Remedial” received the “Outstanding Dissertation of the Year’ from the International Reading Association who hosted her presentation of that paper in Sweden in 1989.

In her thirty-three year career at UWSP, she served in many capacities, all devoted to the development of reading and writing programs being enhanced. In her work as an acquisitions librarian she greatly developed the Womens’ Studies collection (amongst others) which along with other work helped to develop the Womens’ Studies Program at UWSP. She was Director for five years of the Central Wisconsin Writing Project, an Interim Director of the Tutoring-Learning Center where she co- taught a Practicum Course for Tutors, and was responsible for creating the Reading in the Disciplines Program. She was a member of and presented papers for the American Reading Forum, the College Reading Association, the International Reading Association, the Wisconsin State Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Alice will be remembered for her wit, style, and always present humor. She was a ravenous reader who generously allowed herself to be used as a walking reference to anyone who cared to share her hunger for knowledge. She and her lyrical laugh will be greatly missed by her family, legions of friends, and the many she has assisted to their achievements behind her trail-blazed path.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Fred Schmatz, and her brothers LeRoy and Robert, and nephew Fred Leroy Schmatz.

She is survived by her son, Christopher J. Randlett, her grandsons Benjamin and William Randlett, her sister-in law Jacqueline “Archie” Schmatz, nieces- Shirley (Scott) Hibner, Marlene (Dan) Pohl, Roberta Schmatz, nephew Robert Schmatz, and great nephews Ronald, Caleb, Jacob, Maxwell, Augustine,  Rigel, and great-nieces Haley and Nina.

A memorial celebration will be held in her honor on February 8^th in the Alumni Room in the DUC at UWSP from Noon-three p.m. Memorial Donations may be made in her name to the Mid-State Technical College Scholarship Fund or to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  (aspca.org).