In Memoriam: Sandra Williams Rackley, 1937-2023

Sandra Williams Rackley, dean emerita of undergraduate studies at Florida State University died late last month in Tallahassee. She was 86 years old.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Rackley earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Missouri at Columbia. She went on to obtain at Ph.D. st Florida State University.

Dr. Rackley began her career by joining the faculty of Florida A&M University. She later moved to Florida State University to join the faculty in the College Communication. There she served as associate dean and later dean of undergraduate studies.

During her time as dean, Dr. Rackley established the W.E.B. DuBois Honor Society for African American Students, the Oscar Arias Sanchez Honor Society for Hispanic Students, and was instrumental in establishing the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement.