KETTERING (May 16, 2003) — Winton Beaven, a Kettering resident who helped shape Kettering College of Medical Arts into a respected institution of higher learning, died Monday night at Hospice of Dayton. He was 88.

Beaven, who is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and six children, molded Kettering College from its early days, serving as Dean from 1970 to 1983. He was also a clinical professor at Wright State University School of Medicine (1980-86), and held a PhD from the University of Michigan and a Masters from Clark University.

Among his former students are Dave Ponitz, former president of Sinclair Community College, and Frank Perez, president and CEO of Kettering Medical Center Network. "Some individuals touch your life, however briefly, and leave an indelible mark forever. Today, I mourn the loss of Dr. Winton Beaven, who was president of my alma mater when I graduated from college, and who was a giant of a man," Perez said.

Beaven held several regional and national posts over decades of involvement in substance abuse awareness, including president of the National Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism. Other academic posts included Dean and subsequently president of Columbia Union College (Takoma Park, Md.); Dean of the Graduate School at Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.); and other professorates. He served as special consultant to governments of Poland, Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan and Kenya.

"Beaven was one of the most well-known and regarded leaders of Seventh-day Adventist higher education over the last several decades," said Winona Wendth, Director of Advancement for Kettering College. "There probably isn't a single one of the ten SDA campuses in North American that hasn't been influenced by his forward-looking approaches to leadership."