Biographical Note

Dr. Atallah Alexander “Ted” Kidess was born in Jerusalem, Palestine on December 25, 1910. He attended primary and secondary school at the St. George’s School in Jerusalem. Before coming to the United States, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University in Cairo and a Bachelor of Science degree from Queens College in Oxford. He continued his education at Springfield College, earning a Master’s Degree (1935) and a Doctor of Physical Education Degree (1958). Kidess went back to Jerusalem to serve at the director of physical education at the Jerusalem YMCA from 1937 to 1947. He returned to Springfield College in 1947 as a member of the Springfield College faculty, saying “when I was invited back, I felt it an opportunity for me to return and, in a sense pay back the college.”

Kidess started off teaching and serving as a faculty resident in Alumni Hall. He was the director of housing from 1948 to 1954. Kidess was named Foreign Student Advisor in 1955. In 1959 he was appointed Executive Assistant to the President and served in that position until 1962, when he was appointed Administrative Vice President by the Board of Trustees. Kidess shortly held the position, resigning in 1963 to devote his time to teaching and international work.

On July 1, 1965, Kidess was appointed Director of the newly established International Center at Springfield College. The Center was established to facilitate and administer the increasing global programs of the college. Some of Kidess’ main responsibilities were orientation of foreign students and American students going abroad, development of lecture programs and regional studies, conduction of programs to encourage Springfield students to join Operation Crossroads Africa and Peace Crops, and development of resources and contacts for students and faculty on fellowships, scholarships, and other programs in international affairs.

While Kidess will always be remembered by the students and faculty of Springfield College, he has countless accomplishments outside of the college. In his younger days, Kidess was an impressive athlete earning four letters at St. George’s School, being named the junior Davis Cup Champion of the Middle East in 1930, leading the Palestine Soccer team as captain in the 1936 Olympics, and lastly being the squash champion in the Middle East in 1938 and 1939. Quite the athlete, Kidess was the coach of the men’s varsity tennis team at Springfield College (1948-1958, 68 wins, 34 losses, and 1 tie). Kidess retired in 1978 after spending over 30 years as a faculty member of the college. He passed away on May 26, 1999.

- Written and researched by Mikaela Corbett (Class of 2017), February 2017

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