Thaddeus Spratlen facts for kids

Thaddeus H. Spratlen (born 1930, died 2021) was an American economist. He was a respected professor at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business. He made history as the first African American professor at Western Washington University and the Foster School of Business. He also helped start the National Economic Association, a group for economists.

Early Life and Education

Thaddeus Spratlen was born in 1930 in Union City, Tennessee. His family sent him to Cleveland, Ohio, to get a better education. At that time, there were more opportunities for African Americans in Cleveland.

He went to Central High School (Cleveland, Ohio). After high school, he started college at Kent State University. But his father passed away, making it hard to pay for school. So, Thaddeus joined the U.S. Army.

He served as an artillery officer during the Korean War. When he returned, he used his military benefits to continue his studies. He earned several degrees from Ohio State University.

His Career as a Professor

In 1962, Professor Spratlen was offered a job at Western Washington State College. The hiring committee made sure to choose the best person for the job. They even removed photos from applications to avoid bias.

He taught there for eight years. Then, he spent three years teaching at the University of California, Los Angeles. In 1972, he joined the University of Washington. He stayed there for the rest of his teaching career.

At the University of Washington, Professor Spratlen was known for helping others. He built strong connections between the business school and local businesses owned by minority groups in Seattle. He also mentored many African American business students, guiding them in their studies and careers.