It is with great sadness that Flinders University acknowledges the recent passing of Emeritus Professor Don DeBats, who made an extraordinary contribution to Flinders University over more than five decades, predominantly as a Professor of American Studies and as Founding Director of the Jeff Bleich Centre.
With research interests that covered comparative Australian-Canadian-US politics and political history, US foreign policy, democracy and governance, Professor DeBats was a Visiting Research Professor at the University of Virginia and a Resident Fellow at Virginia Humanities.
Professor DeBats was also the creator of the Washington Internship Program, which has sent more than 130 Flinders University students to undertake work experience at the US Congress. This remains the largest presence in Washington achieved by any university not based in the United States.
Colleague and friend Dr Maryanne Kelton remembers a man whose legacy will continue on in the lives of his many students.
“Professor Don DeBats was an outstanding, internationally recognised researcher and committed educator. Through the Washington Internship Program and his teaching more generally, Don had an extraordinarily positive transformative effect on many students’ professionalism and careers. Students remained deeply grateful long into their lives for their association with Don.”
Professor DeBats also established the Ali Lehman Memorial Prize for the Washington Internship Program in honour of Executive Support Officer Ali Lehman, who he praised as the driving force behind the life-changing and career-advancing program at Flinders. After her passing in 2021, Professor DeBats donated money to establish the prize in her honour.
As Founding Director of the Jeff Bleich Centre, Professor DeBats also led the creation of the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Applied Public Policy at Flinders University. His tireless work and dedication to the programs at Flinders University will be remembered with respect, and his presence will be greatly missed.
Flinders University staff and students are invited to attend a memorial service in honour of Professor DeBats’s remarkable life and legacy, to commence at 2pm on Saturday 8 June at St Elizabeth Chapel, Walford School (316 Unley Road, Hyde Park, enter via Fashoda Street). The service can also be viewed online.
In memory of Emeritus Professor Don DeBats, his family invite you to honour his life and work by donating to the Ali Lehman Washington Memorial Prize, created by Professor DeBats in 2022. Your support will encourage excellence in Flinders University’s Washington Internship Program that Professor DeBats was integral to establishing. If you would like to donate, click here.
Our thoughts are with Professor DeBats’ family and friends at this time.
Flinders University acknowledges that this sad news may be upsetting for members of our community. Please remember that staff can access the Employee Assistant Program (EAP) at any time, and the Health & Wellbeing page has a list of resources and support services available for students.