Former Dean Set to Return to Athens, Recovered from Accident

March 1, 2011

On December 10, 2010, Dean Emerita Peggy Cohn suffered a fall at her home, hitting her head and damaging her cervical vertebrae. Paralyzed from the neck down, she was taken to Grant Trauma Center in Columbus.

After neck surgery and a two-week stay at Grant, Dean Cohn transferred to Dodd Hall at the Ohio State Medical Center, where she spent five weeks gaining back function in her arms and legs.

Since February 1, Dean Cohn has been in rehabilitation at Heartland of Jackson, where, she said, she is “having excellent therapy and good care and Athens visitors.”

“I can stand with support for a short time, am learning to maneuver a wheelchair, am getting function back in my hands and wrists, and expect to be back in Athens before too long,” she said.

 In the meantime, Dean Cohn said she appreciates everyone’s support.

“Thanks to everyone who sent cards, flowers, snacks, and encouragement. They helped tremendously,” she added.

Dean Cohn initially served as Assistant Director of the Honors Tutorial College from 1973 to 1977. She was appointed Director in 1977. Her title changed to Dean of the Honors Tutorial College in 1991. She served in this capacity until her retirement in 1995. The HTC Board of Visitors named her an “Honorary HTC Alumna” in 2000.

Alumni and friends who would like to contact “Ma Cohn” can email Dean Jeremy Webster at webstej1@ohio.edu for more information.