Former Metropolitan State University of Denver professor and award-winning chair of the former Reading and Teaching Education departments Vincent Orlando, Ph.D., died Dec. 18, 2025, at the age of 77.
Orlando taught at MSU Denver from 1979 until 2003. He served as president of the College Reading and Learning Association in 1996–97 and was a member of the MSU Denver Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. He received the MSU Denver Distinguished Service Award in 1995 and a Special Recognition Award from the College Reading and Learning Association in 1993.
An avid outdoorsman and traveler, Orlando enjoyed mountain trips with MSU Denver students, leading hikes and 14er summits as a mentor to the basketball team. He guided an MSU Denver archaeological dig in northern Peru in the early 2000s and taught English classes to college students to teach in China, which he visited twice during his University tenure.
Campus members commended Orlando’s impact.
“Vince had a notable history of mentoring new faculty members and contributing to the development of what would become the School of Education,” said Lisa Altemueller, Ed.D., professor of special education. “He played an important role in the literacy and reading program area. He was one of the faculty members I reached out to for advice and guidance when I transitioned into the role of department chair. I am grateful for his contributions and example of leadership early in my career.”
Born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 25, 1948, Orlando grew up in the nearby town of Mayfield. After graduating from St. Rose High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton, a Master of Education from Bloomsburg State College and a Doctor of Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University.
He is survived by his wife, Viola Catherine Raveczky, and a son, a brother and sister-in-law, a niece, a nephew, two step-daughters and three step-grandchildren.
Celebrations of life will take place this summer in Colorado and Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Tipi Raisers or Sage Studio.
