Monday, February 13, 2012 —
Pfeiffer University mourns the death on Feb. 9, 2012, of Pfeiffer College alumnus and former longtime faculty member Steve C. Dial ’59.
A professor emeritus of biology, Dial earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of South Carolina and returned to Pfeiffer as a faculty member in 1963.
Over the next 40 years, he served the university as biology professor and department and division chair, receiving the Exemplary Teacher Award in 1996 from the Methodist Church, Division of Higher Education, as well as his field as a respected ecologist and botanist, publishing dozens of articles in scholarly journals on those subjects.
In 2008, in honor of Dial’s tenure and the legacy that he left the university upon his 2003 retirement, the Harris Greenhouse was renovated and renamed the Dial Greenhouse. That effort and the accompanying fundraising campaign were led by Dial’s son, Chris Dial ’86.
“The imprint that Dial made on his students, his colleagues and the entire university will remain an important part of Pfeiffer for a long time,” said Michael C. Miller, president.
“His legacy is one of excellence, setting a high bar of achievement for current students and faculty.”
Dial, who was born in Salisbury, on Aug. 7, 1937, is survived by his wife Carolyn.
Longtime residents of Misenheimer, they have six children, all of whom graduated from Pfeiffer University.
They are Michelle Dial ’84 Pawel (Steven) of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Chris ’86 (Andrea) of Cary, N.C.; Sonya Dial ’87 Sienerth (Karl ‘85) of Burlington, N.C.; Tara Dial ’90 Mullinex (Nathan) of Oakland Township, Mich.; and Torin ’91 of Miami, Fla. Their son, Steve H. ’89, died in 1996. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mari Lee Dial Weaver ’67.
Dial’s civic and professional affiliations included the Misenheimer Lions Club; Stanly County Country Club, for which he served as director 1976-82; North Carolina Academy of Science; South Carolina Academy of Science; Association of Southeastern Biologists; National Science Institute (as a participant in Geology and Ecology of the Rocky Mountains); and Society of the Sigma Xi.
A memorial service will take place on Feb. 12, 2 p.m., at Henry Pfeiffer Chapel, Pfeiffer University, 48380 Hwy. 52N, Misenheimer. A reception will follow in the Harris Science Building.
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Dr. Steve C. Dial, 1984
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Pfeiffer University remembers long time faculty member
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