James Edward Dull, an administrator who served Georgia Tech as its dean of students for 34 years, died on March 22 at the age of 80.In his time at Tech, Dull oversaw virtually every aspect of student life including not only disciplinary processes but also most activities — housing, fraternity affairs and student media to name a few — outside of the curriculum.
Over the course of his tenure, he served nine seated or acting presidents. Enrollment grew from 5,200 to 13,000. Female enrollment grew from 11 to 3,050. He is also credited with finding and purchasing the 1930 Model A Ford coupe, the vehicle that leads the football team onto the field before each home game.
Students who passed through Georgia Tech often cited his ability to connect with everyone, guided by his extraordinary powers of perception.
He also helped produce well-rounded graduates. For 30 years he led an extracurricular enrichment program that introduced students to ballroom dancing. He also organized a national championship-winning Georgia Tech College Bowl Team and trained the Wreckette Dancing and Drill Team.
When he retired in 1991, approximately 80 percent of the living alumni had been students during his career. His passion for and legacy of support for the arts was honored in 1992, when the black box theater at the back of the Ferst Center for the Arts was named for him.
Dull is survived by his wife, Gay, two sons: Dr. John R. Dull and wife, Beth of Atlanta and David A. Dull and wife, Cindy, of Winter Springs, Fla., grandson Grant and granddaughter Taylor.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m., at Peachtree Christian Church, 1580 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Peachtree Christian Church Columbarium or the DramaTech Scholarship via the Georgia Tech Foundation, 760 Spring Street, N.W., Suite 400, Atlanta, Ga., 30308. A celebration reception at the church will follow the service.
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