Faculty and students are feeling the loss of the Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences, Dr. Ellen J. Haneline.
Haneline died on Oct. 12 in her home. Her husband, Dr. Douglas Haneline, is a professor at Ferris in the Languages and Literature Department.
“Ellen was one of those people who had an incredible ability to make so many personal and professional contributions in so many areas, yet was always able to maintain a great sense of balance in her life,” said Dr. Julie Coon, Director of the School of Nursing.
Even students who did not know Haneline are feeling the effects of her absence.
“I personally did not know the dean, but all my professors were very shocked at the unexpected death and they said that she will be very hard to replace,” said Sara Bostwick, a junior in nursing.
Haneline served Ferris for 26 years, the last five years as the Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Along with her experience, Haneline brought her calming personality to Ferris.
“She [Haneline] was a skillful communicator who had an innate ability to convey a sense of calmness and that everything would be fine,” said Coon.
Haneline was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was the first woman to serve as council president. Haneline also sat on the Board of the Mecosta County Medical Center Foundation.
“Those of us in CAHS have shared many tears and smiles over the past week as we think about how Ellen would counsel and advise us at a time like this,” said Coon. n