Dr. Winston Gittens Remembered
Heartfelt letters and memorabilia displayed across his office door, pictures on posters and
in frames to be seen as soon as one sets foot in the Education Department, and memories that
will never be forgotten from his colleagues and students.
Dr. Winston Tyrone Gittens was an associate professor of education at Southwest
Minnesota State university, and passed away at Grantley Adams International Airport December
17, 2010 after returning home to celebrate the Christmas holiday with his family in Barbados,
according to Jan Loft, professor of speech and communication.
Dr. Winston Gittens attained the age of 51 years. He was born on October 2, 1959 in
Baird’s Village, St. George, Barbados according to Rhonda Bonnstetter, associate professor of
education, and Brenda Gittens, sister of Dr. Gittens. He graduated from St. George Secondary
School and won an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez. He
received his bachelor of arts degree in 1983 and returned to Barbados, where he taught art and
Spanish classes at the Coleridge and Parry School from 1983-1993 and was head of the
Department of Art and Geography at St. Michael School from 1993-1995. He received his postgraduate diploma in education with Distinction in 1991 from the University of the West IndiesCave Hill in Barbados. He completed his master of arts degree at Miami University in Oxford,
Ohio in 1996 an also received his Ph.D. in educational leadership with focus on curriculum and
instruction and cultural studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2000. He taught at the
University of the West Indies; Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; Berea College in Berea,
Kentucky (2002-2006); and arrived at Southwest Minnesota State University in the fall of 2006.
Dr. Gittens worked hard and was a very valued colleague and professor and also a loved
family member. Memories of him are spread out across his old office door from his students,
colleagues and friends.
“There were postings put up from some friends of his in Puerto Rico from track, calling
him Bob. He was always a very snappy dresser and there’s a tie here from Lauren Wiger who
helped him learn how to tie ties. It goes to show he touched a lot of people’s lives and he was a
very kind and gentle person,” Bonnstetter said.
According to Loft, in his time at SMSU, Dr. Gittens taught education classes as well as at
other universities, community and technical colleges. He also helped in the coordination of the
SMSU Campus Climate Study and was working on the Anti-Racism Workshop that was
schedule for January 28. He was active in the Mn-NAME, state chapter of the National
Association of Multicultural Education.
“He was supportive of his students, had a great vocabulary and was very active in
multicultural issues. He said that the warm community here made up for the cold winters and he
just felt like he was with family,” Bonstetter said.
Pictures, typed memoirs, a tie and more are all memories of Dr. Gittens, who will always
be remembered by his many colleagues, friends, family and the community of SMSU.
A memorial for Dr. Winston Gittens is being planned and more information will be
available soon.