Dr. Thomas G. "Tom" Scullen

SCULLEN, THOMAS G., ED.D., “TOM”

Thomas G. Scullen, Ed.D. impacted thousands of school children, teachers, athletes, coaches and other educators during the course of his 45-year commitment to public education. Tom Scullen, of Appleton, age 68 years, died on May 30, 2007 with his family by his side. He was born August 9, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of the late James and Kathleen (Murphy) Scullen and brother to the late Patricia (Richard) McCausland. On November 26, 1960, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Janet Gohlke, at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Detroit, Michigan.

A student and athlete at St. Charles Borromeo grade school and high school, Tom won a football scholarship to the University of Detroit where he received his undergraduate degree. Tom continued his education at Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University where he received his graduate degrees. As a teacher, coach, counselor, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent, Tom worked in Michigan public school districts in Oak Park, L'Anse Creuse and Chippewa Valley from 1962 to 1985. Tom then served as the Superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204 in Naperville, Illinois from 1985 to 1995, and was selected as the 1993 Superintendent of the Year by the Illinois Association of School Administrators. He was later honored by the 2001 opening of the Thomas G. Scullen Middle School in Naperville. Annually, the Indian Prairie Parents Council awards the Dr. Thomas Scullen scholarship to a qualified student with aspirations of entering the field of education.

During the height of his career from 1995 until 2007, Tom served as the Superintendent of the Appleton Area School District continuing his commitment to collaborative leadership and developing strong family/community partnerships. In 2003, he was again selected as the Superintendent of the Year – this time by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators. In 2007, Tom was deeply honored when the Appleton Area School District acknowledged Tom’s unique and effective leadership skills by renaming their administration building the Thomas G. Scullen Leadership Center. A scholarship fund has been established in his name to sustain Tom’s influence on leadership development in the Fox Valley for years to come.

Tom, a husband to Jan for 46 years, a father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law, uncle and friend will be loved and remembered for his many contributions throughout his lifetime. He is survived by his wife: Jan; children: Mary Kay (Tim) Gallagher, Farmington Hills, Michigan and their daughters Katie and Sarah; Sandi Scullen, Dallas, Texas and Michael (Liesl) Scullen, Rochester, Michigan and their children Lindsey and Sean; sister: Sandy Scullen, St. Clair Shores, Michigan; brother: James (Marcia) Scullen, Detroit, Michigan; brother-in-law: David (Carol) Gohlke, Macomb, Michigan; sisters-in-law: Carol (Norb) Caron, St. Clair Shores, Michigan and Nancy (Randy) Gabeline, Marietta, Georgia. Tom is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and colleagues.

The memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at ST. CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1491 Baldwin Street, Detroit, Michigan with Fr. David Preuss officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Appleton Education Foundation designated for the Thomas G. Scullen Leadership Fund, 122 E. College Avenue, Suite 1B, Appleton, Wisconsin 54911.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231