Larry Dlugosh, emeritus chairperson and professor of educational administration, died April 17 at the age of 83.
Dlugosh was a lifelong advocate for public education. He served in educator and administrator roles in Bennington Public Schools, Elkhorn Public Schools, Springfield-Platteview and Grand Island Public Schools before joining the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1990. He retired as chair of the Department of Educational Administration in 2011 after 46 years in public education, including 22 in the College of Education and Human Sciences.
Dlugosh was active on the boards of a number of different community organizations throughout his lifetime. In addition to leading the UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association, he served on the St. Francis (Grand Island) Hospital Board, was chairman of the board for Bryan College of Health Sciences, and was a longtime member of the Heartland Center for Leadership Development.
He was named the outstanding young educator for the Nebraska Jaycees in 1989, and recognized by the Nebraska Council for School Administrators with the Distinguished Service Award in 1997. In 2010, Dlugosh was recognized as a Distance Education Pioneer during a campus-wide celebration of National Distance Learning Week for his contributions to the campus community in the area of online and distance education. Dlugosh also received a 2025 Wisherd Award for Outstanding Service to UNL from the UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association.
Dlugosh and his wife, Janee, prioritized traveling the world, visiting more than 40 countries and all seven continents. He was an engaging individual whose quick wit and easy smile made him someone that people enjoyed. With his commitment to learning about the world, he supported many different international students by providing housing, offering invitations to dinner, and extending to them his friendship.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Dlugosh is survived by his wife, Janee, his daughter, Jadi (Dan) Miller of Elkhorn, son Jason (Brooke) Dlugosh of Lincoln, and grandchildren, Noah (Kate) Miller of Austin, Ethan Miller of Elkhorn, and Savannah Dlugosh of Lincoln.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, with a reception to follow.
Memorials are suggested to the University of Nebraska Foundation – The Larry and Janee Dlugosh Educational Advancement Fund, the Bryan College for Health Sciences Foundation for scholarships, or the St. Paul United Methodist Church.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Educational Administration
