The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice is sad to announce the April 25, 2023, passing of Sheila Rachin, patron of the Journal of Drug Issues (JDI), and donor of the Richard L. Rachin Graduate Fellowship Endowment.
Sheila established the Richard L. Rachin Graduate Fellowship Endowment in 1997 in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice in memory of her husband, Richard L. Rachin, founder of the Journal of Drug Issues (JDI), following his death in 1996.
The Journal of Drug Issues is one of the first scholarly publications of its kind dedicated to providing a research-driven forum on national and international problems associated with drugs.
Sheila’s commitment to the ongoing publication of the journal after Richard’s passing spoke to her belief that a research-informed forum for the open and rational examination of drug issues should be continued. To accomplish this, Sheila transferred the journal to the FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and established the Richard L. Rachin Graduate Fellowship Endowment, which for more than 25 years has provided an annual fellowship for criminology doctoral students to serve as managing editor to support its ongoing publication. College faculty member Dr. Kevin Beaver serves as editor of the journal.
Today, the JDI is a widely used research source for scholars, public policy analysts, policymakers, and practitioners confronting the numerous and difficult problems associated with drugs.
Thomas G. Blomberg, Dean of the College, stated, “Sheila Rachin, together with her husband Richard, were instrumental in providing a major impetus and the support for the College’s efforts to institutionalize a “translational focus” in which its research is translated into evidenced informed policies and practices that reduce the pain of suffering of crime.”
Sheila is survived by her son Steve, an attorney, his wife, Robin, and two granddaughters, Rebecca, and Ilana. A memorial to remember Sheila’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on May 27, 2023, at Culley’s Meadowood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Richard L. Rachin Fellowship at the Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice or Big Bend Hospice.