Dr. Dear was a champion for students and a strong advocate for the educational lessons provided by extracurricular activities. He was instrumental in bringing collegiate athletics back to SC4 after the discontinuation of sports in the 1980s. A graduate of Michigan State University where he attained his Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees. Dr. Dear retired as the SC4 president in 1996.  He passed away in 2008; however, he made a lasting impact on Skippers Athletics.

He also holds a legendary spot in MSU history. During his time as an undergrad, Dr. Dear was a member of the 1953-54 MSU Cheerleading team. He and other students constructed a mascot head out of paper mâché which led to him being the first person to play Sparty!

Skippers Athletic Director Dale Vos shared “Dr. Dear was a big part of my personal journey at SC4 as he was president when I was hired in 1990. His passion for students and our student-athletes was so exciting.  He always had a positive outlook and was a friend to everyone who met him. He was a true mentor to me and many others at SC4.”

A bench in his honor was added to the SC4 campus in 2010. During the ceremony, retired SC4 English Professor Susanna Defever eloquently captured Dr. Dear’s legacy in a poem she wrote about him titled “To Celebrate his Life”. Defever’s words read in part, “Ernie was a one in a million who stood out in any crowd, the original MSU Sparty who always made other people feel proud.” She concluded the poem stating, “He left an unforgettable impression inspiring all of us to live a life of joy and service.”

Dr. Dear’s wife, Barbara, also worked at SC4. She lives in Wisconsin and remains a strong advocate of the college.