Lathardus Goggins (1927-2009)

Dr. Goggins was a Professor of Geography and Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Akron. In addition to earning a PhD, Dr. Groggins earned a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) from Kent State University. He also earned multiple masters degrees from the University of Akron. Before joining The University of Akron in 1969, Groggins taught in East Africa, where he was a member of the first wave of Teachers for East Africa (TEA), one of the first international initiatives of the Kennedy Administration. The program provided teachers for secondary schools and teacher training colleges in East Africa during the 1960s. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and has taught at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Florida A & M University, Grambling State University. At the age of 17, Groggins enlisted in the US Army Air Corps (now the US Air Force) and trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field during the end of World War II.