Goucher community mourns death of honored community member

Velder founded and grew the Education Program at Goucher, and was deemed the “Teacher of Teachers.” Generations of students and faculty recognized him as a tremendous faculty member and an asset to the college, as he taught for over half a century. He was associated with Goucher for almost 62 years.

Velder obtained both his B.A. and Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a teaching diploma from Baltimore Hebrew University. He began teaching at Goucher in 1958 and held the Dean Van Meter Chair. He also served on a wide range of committees, as well as holding positions as chair of the Education Department, director of the M.Ed. Program, and director of Graduate Programs in Education. He received Goucher awards for outstanding teaching and service to the college.

Velder was also active in scholarly work, with a large number of published articles. He was widely recognized for his expertise, serving on statewide committees on education. Internationally, he was also a visiting professor at the University of Exeter and a guest lecturer at Odessa University. He was also listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Education. 

At Goucher, Velder was a mentor, leader, and an outstanding member of the community.