Purdue News
Purdue News
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April 8, 2002
Purdue to dedicate Liberal Arts and Education Bldg. for BeeringWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (4/12) will dedicate a classroom-office building on the West Lafayette campus in honor of Purdue President Emeritus Steven C. Beering.
Beering served Purdue for more than 17 years, during which more than 20 buildings were added to the campus, including the Liberal Arts and Education Building that bears his name. Thirteen more facilities were either expanded or renovated. During that same period, enrollment in liberal arts grew to make it one of the largest schools on campus and the School of Education was created. At the dedication ceremony, a portrait of Beering will be unveiled. The work of an internationally known artist, Lafayette native Richard Halstead, the portrait will be installed in the building's foyer. J. Timothy McGinley, chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees, looked back with gratitude at the contribution of Beering and his wife, Jane: "Steve and Jane Beering dedicated their careers, opened their hearts and poured their total energy into this great institution, creating what we call 'the Purdue family.' They care about every student, every alumnus, every faculty and staff member. Dr. Beering valued a well-rounded education and led the effort to construct this facility and recognize these two schools, so I can think of no tribute more appropriate than our naming this building in his honor." The trustees voted Feb. 8 to rename the building the Steven C. Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education. In recommending the renaming, Purdue President Martin C. Jischke told the trustees: "Dr. Beering's energy and vision prepared this university for leadership in the 21st century. His accomplishments made possible all the things we are doing now and the ambitious dreams we have for the future of Purdue." Beering, who left the presidency in 2000 to work on behalf of the Purdue Research Foundation, said, "Jane and I are deeply honored to have our name associated with this building. I accept this recognition as a testament to all Purdue students and alumni, for they are the most important legacy." The Liberal Arts and Education Building opened in the fall of 1993 near the intersection of University and First streets. The $28.5 million building is home to the administrative offices for the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Education. It features a three-story classroom wing and a seven-story office wing overlooking Founder's Park, and includes 53 classrooms and teaching labs, as well as conference rooms and other support facilities. The School of Liberal Arts is one of the largest schools on the West Lafayette campus, encompassing 11 academic departments and 14 interdisciplinary programs. It ranks second only to the Schools of Engineering in total enrollment, with 5,881 undergraduates and 961 graduate students enrolled in its programs of study. Beering was instrumental in establishing both the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Education in 1989 when he oversaw the reorganization of programs in the former School of Humanities, Social Science and Education. Students in the School of Education can earn teaching certificates in elementary education, social studies education and special education. There are presently 1,180 undergraduate and 577 graduate students enrolled. During his tenure as president, Beering also oversaw record growth in enrollment, private fund raising and research support. He and his wife, Jane, continue to serve as ambassadors for Purdue. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Beering earned a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and spent more than 12 years in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps. During his military career, he served as an adviser to the U.S. surgeon general in internal medicine and was a medical consultant on the U.S. space program's early attempts to put humans into orbit. Before coming to Purdue in 1983, he served as dean of the Indiana University School of Medicine and director of the IU Medical Center. Writer: Jeanne Norberg, (765) 494- 2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-2098 J. Timothy McGinley, (317) 580-2535 Steven C. Beering, (765) 496-7555, scb@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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