Karen Tidmarsh, who served as dean of Bryn Mawr College for 20 years, died earlier this week at her home in Haverford, Pennsylvania. She was 63 years old and suffered from carcinoid syndrome.
A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Dean Tidmarsh was a 1971 graduate of Bryn Mawr College. After earning a Ph.D. in English at the University of Virginia, she taught at two schools before returning to Bryn Mawr in 1979 as an administrator and English department faculty member. In 1990, she was appointed dean of the college and served in that role until 2010.
Jane McAuliffe, president of Bryn Mawr College, stated: “Karen’s dedication to students was legendary. Her legacy of devotion lives on in the memories of countless alumnae, many of whom can recall returning to campus years after graduation to a warm greeting from Karen and to her genuine interest in their lives since Bryn Mawr.”