College of Education alumna Luann Purcell, currently the assistant superintendent for pupil services in Houston County, has been selected as the new executive director for the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) effective July 1, 2002.

 Purcell was awarded her Ed.D. from the department of educational leadership in 1990.

 “Dr. Purcell’s selection for this position reflects the respect of others across the country for her leadership skills, high standards, and commitment to quality educational programs for all students,” said Bill Swan, who was Purcell’s major professor at UGA.

 The national offices of CASE will be housed on the campus of Fort Valley State University.  The executive director of CASE represents all local directors of special education across the country with other national educational leadership organizations.

 Purcell has served as president of the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE), as a member of the CASE Board of Directors, and on multiple committees in G-CASE and CASE.

 Over the past few years, Purcell has received the most prestigious awards from both the state and national organizations. She received the Lillie Moncus Award from G-CASE in 1999 and the Harrie Selznick Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Special Education from CASE in 2000. She and Swan have been the only two Georgia educators to receive the national award in its 15-year history.

Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Writer: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
Contact: Bill Swan, 706/542-4074, bswan@coe.uga.edu