by LaNelle Gallagher, LDA Past President
Dr. Rosa Hagin passed away on February 7, 2014, at her home in Hardyston Township, New Jersey, at the age of ninety two years. She was an educational psychologist, teacher and strong and constant nationally recognized advocate for children and adults with learning disabilities.
Dr. Hagin was Professor Emerita at Fordham University where she founded the School Consultation Center named in her honor. She served as Research Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at New York School of Medicine, researching in the area of the neurobiological core of reading.
It was LDA’s good fortune to have Dr. Hagin as a friend and supporter for many years. She served several terms as a member of the LDA Professional Advisory Board, including two terms as Chairman at which time she represented LDA at the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities. Dr. Hagin was a frequent member of the LDA Annual International Conference Program Committee, serving as Chairman for the 1987 and 1994 conferences. She also served as Advisor to the Learning Disabilities Foundation of America for a number of years. In 1992 LDA presented its highest honor, the LDA Award, to Dr. Hagin.
Dr. Hagin was active in other organizations including the American Psychological Association and the Orton Dyslexia Society (now known as the International Dyslexia Association) who presented their Samuel T. Orton Award to her in 1994.
Dr. Hagin and child psychiatrist Archie Silver, M.D., co-authored Search and Teach about which she stated: “The strength of ‘Search and Teach’ is in early intervention. This twofold approach offers educators an effective tool for catching learning disorders at the beginning of a child’s academic career, before the downward spiral of failure begins. With proper and timely identification and intervention, many children can be spared the lifelong consequences of learning disorders.”
LDA extends our sincere sympathy to Dr. Hagin’s family and celebrates a life well lived in service to the millions who have struggled and continue to struggle with learning disabilities.
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