Snow says the lack of University funds forced the school to look elsewhere for support. Next year, Darling-Hammond will have to try to put the school on a better financial foundation.

"We are eager for fundraising efforts to increase," Snow says.

Faculty say the lack of a permanent dean created problems in fundraising.

"It is hard to maintain fundraising without a dean," Murphy says. "The new concern [for Darling-Hammond] will be to put it on a better footing within the college."

Yet, Levine says the school actually derived some benefits from the absence of a permanent dean.

"It brought people together. The Ed School became more involved as a group in making decisions," he says.

This community spirit was further fostered by the school celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Levine calls the celebration an excellent opportunity for Ed School alumni to review their history and reexamine the field of education.

The event included seminars in the fall and spring attended by educators from across the country.

In addition, the outgoing acting dean says the growth of the faculty and rise in admissions this past year contributed to a smooth year for the school.

According to Murphy, minority admissions rose and the school had and acceptance rate of one out of 11 for its doctoral program.

And Snow says the school hired two new faculty members.

In addition, Geyser University Professor and former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Henry Rosovsky will join the school's faculty next year as well.