Counselor Education, College Student Personnel, & Social Work

College Student Personnel

Remembering Dr. Deanna S. Forney

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dea Forney on October 21, 2024, a cherished former faculty member in CSP at Western Illinois University. Dea dedicated 24 years to educating and mentoring students in the College Student Personnel program, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many. Her passion for student development and commitment to higher education were evident in all she did. Dea will be remembered for her wisdom and the significant contributions she made to the CSP community. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and all who were touched by her life.

To read more about her life and legacy, please visit her obituary.

Dea retired from WIU in May 2011. Read her final farewell in the CSP AlumNotes newsletter from 2010.

When we shared Dea's passing in our WIU CSP Alumni and Friends Facebook group, there was an outpouring of lovely comments about Dea's lasting impact. The following is just one example of how Dea made a difference.

From CSP Days where we stuck magnets to Dea's house to learning lifelong lessons during our WIU grad school time to sharing holiday update notes over the years, Dea has been a lovely presence in my life. I remember visiting her in PA several years ago, seeing her basement filled with movies and music, and how content she seemed being with family, old friends and living a quieter life. We went out for pizza and then I waved goodbye to drive north, feeling lucky. I still do. How lucky were we to be taught by and to know Dea Forney. - Julie C Phillips, '94

Dea left a lasting impact not only on her students but also on her faculty colleagues. Below is a message from Dr. Tracy Davis reflecting on the loss of Dea:

The sadness I felt when I heard about Dea was intense and I wanted it to go away. My experience with grief, however, teaches me to stay with the feeling. I know that over time grief becomes bittersweet. Losing Dea – the CSP Program losing Dea – is helping me realize how much I loved her sense of humor, deep intellect and unwavering focus on promoting the development of students. I also am beginning to more deeply feel the gratitude for her investing in me, you, and the CSP Program.

You might notice that I used active verbs and adverbs “helping” and “beginning.” I am not ready to move on from the deep nostalgia, memories, and longing I feel. I suspect these emotions will eventually reform into more future-focused strategies related to sharing meaningful stories, being motivated to be a better scholar, and making even deeper investments in our shared passion for the WIU CSP Program. For now, I am allowing the emotions to remain in liminal space and feel the grief I currently want relief from.

When you are ready and if you are so inclined, please consider joining Tracy in contributing to the Dea Forney Alumni Scholarship which was established in 2011 to reflect the service of Professor Dr. Dea Forney upon her retirement. This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional potential as professionals in the field of student affairs through scholarship, leadership, and service.

Dr. Deanna S. Forney

Dea Forney

March 27, 1947 -
October 21, 2024