Kathryn Jeanine Congalton, associate professor emeritus of human communication studies and a educator, mentor and champion of Cal State Fullerton, died on Aug. 4, 2026. She was 69 years old.
Congalton devoted more than three decades to CSUF, joining the faculty in 1989 and retiring in 2020 after 31 years of service. She continued teaching through the Faculty Early Retirement Program until 2025.
“Jeanine was one of a kind — a mentor, coach, colleague, campus leader and one of Cal State Fullerton’s most devoted champions,” said Jason Shepard, dean of the College of Communications. “Her legacy lives on in every Titan whose life she touched, every student she encouraged to find their voice and every colleague inspired by her steadfast service.”
Champion of Speech and Debate
Congalton served as co-director of CSUF’s Forensics Program from 1990 to 2003, first alongside Robert H. “Bob” Gass and later with Jon Bruschke, professor of human communication studies.
Her work extended far beyond coaching. She managed budgets and travel, coached debate and individual events, judged tournaments throughout the country, administered high school and collegiate invitationals, and expanded speech and debate opportunities through such outreach efforts as the Southern California Urban Debate League.
Through her guidance, generations of students developed skills in argumentation, public speaking and critical thinking — along with the discipline, confidence and commitment to public service that defined Congalton’s own career.
Her leadership also extended across the national forensics community. She held roles with the Western Forensics Association, Western States Communication Association, National Forensics Association and the American Forensics Association’s National Individual Events Tournament. She also contributed to numerous regional and national competitions.
“Of all the faculty I have known in my 25 years at CSUF, I do not know if there is another single person who has more committed themselves to the betterment and service of the campus and the enterprise of intercollegiate forensics,” Bruschke wrote in a letter of support of her nomination for emeritus status.
An Extraordinary Teacher and Mentor
Congalton taught a wide range of human communication studies courses and contributed to the University Honors Program, where she taught seminars in critical thinking and oral communication.
Her teaching earned her the Honors Program Outstanding Faculty Member Award. Students also twice selected her as a Faculty Advisor of Distinction, reflecting the deep and lasting relationships she formed with those she taught and mentored.
Congalton served as a graduate adviser, chaired and served on graduate committees, mentored new faculty members, and guided graduate assistants. She also connected aspiring educators with community college faculty members, helping students establish professional networks before entering the job market. Many of her former students went on to teach or coach speech and debate throughout California’s community colleges.
Her support for students was both practical and personal. She held extended weekend office hours for students balancing college with work and family responsibilities. She also regularly attended their concerts, plays, athletic competitions and other activities.
For Congalton, supporting students meant showing up.
A Titan Through and Through
Congalton’s commitment reached nearly every corner of the university. She served on the Academic Senate, Planning, Resource and Budget Committee, Academic Standards Committee, Student Academic Life Committee, General Education Task Force, faculty personnel committees, search committees, and program reviews.
Her colleagues trusted her with consequential responsibilities because of her fairness, integrity and thoughtful judgment.
Congalton also embraced the life of the university outside the classroom. A longtime Titans Baseball season ticket holder, she attended two College World Series appearances, supported campus fundraising efforts and remained a familiar presence at university events.
“A major part of my identity is that of a Titan,” she wrote in her application for emeritus status. “Some argue that I bleed ‘Titan Blue.’”
Her warmth and generosity extended well beyond campus. She was known for mailing greeting cards for virtually every occasion — often with a dollar bill tucked inside — to friends, acquaintances and members of their extended families.
Congalton earned a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in 1978, a master’s degree from North Dakota State University in 1980 and a doctorate from the University of Utah in 1988.
Her influence continues through the educators, coaches, scholars and professionals she mentored, as well as the Jeanine Congalton Scholarship, established by a former student to support future members of the CSUF Forensics Program.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeanine Congalton Scholarship.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. in Mihaylo Hall, Room 1502.