Buildings named after husband, wife
January 26, 2010
Burkes honored for role at SWCID
By CINDY SMITH
Special to the Herald
The Howard College board of trustees gave special recognition to Dr. Douglas
and Beatrice Burke by naming buildings on the SouthWest Collegiate Institute
for the Deaf campus in their honor during their regularly scheduled meeting
Monday.
The administration building, now called the Douglas Burke Education and
Administration Building, was chosen to honor Dr. Burke for his pioneering
role in the life of SWCID.
As the first deaf individual to lead an institution of higher education in
the nation, Burke paved the road for all deaf leaders and students.
“Dr. Burke was a true visionary as he worked with Howard College to
establish SWCID and to lead its early development,” said Dr. Cheryl T.
Sparks, Howard College president. “When Dr. Burke passed away in 1988, we
lost a giant in the field of deaf education.”
Burke’s early work in the establishment of a community college for the deaf
was a milestone in the world of higher education as it created new
opportunities for the deaf not only in Texas but on the national and
world-wide scene, officials said.
Sparks added, “He is certainly deserving of this special recognition and we
are proud to be able to remember him in this way.”
A second building naming took place as the residence hall — the Burke/Mehan
Residence Hall — now serves as a special honor to Beatrice Burke.
Although one of the wings of the residence hall previously recognized Dr.
Burke, it will now recognize his wife, Beatrice. Mrs. Burke played a
significant role as a deaf leader in the early envisioning of SWCID and has
provided ongoing leadership in the advocacy of deaf education, Sparks said.
Mrs. Burke also served as a SWCID faculty member and retired after 19 years
of service. During her tenure as a SWCID faculty member, she received the
highly-esteemed Minnie Piper Professor award.
“Beatrice Burke has been and continues to be an integral part of our SWCID
family,” said Dr. Sparks. “She has shown a deep commitment to SWCID and its
evolution.”
Even after her retirement from teaching, Beatrice has remained involved as a
past chair and member of the SWCID Advisory Committee and is also a member
of the Texas School for the Deaf Governing Board, appearing before
legislative committees advocating best practices for deaf education.
“The Burke family is a huge part of the history and foundation of SWCID and
Howard College,” said Sparks. “We are indebted to them for their leadership
and vision that have been critical in getting us where we are today.”
A ceremony to unveil the new building names honoring the Burkes will be held
this summer as part of the ongoing 30 year celebration at SWCID.
For more information visit http://www.howardcollege.edu
Source:
http://www.bigspringherald.com/content/view/202922/60/