|
IN MEMORIAM
WILLIAM A. BENNIE
Dr. William Andrew Bennie, Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction
at The University of Texas at Austin, died Tuesday, December 3, 1996,
after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Bill, as his friends
called him, was a soft-spoken gentleman with a resolute message. He
was thoroughly respected and admired by students and faculty alike.
Dr. Bennie, a Hoosier by birth,
entered the world October 9, 1921, in Linton, Indiana, the eldest
son of Sylvia Vanmeter Bennie and Andrew Rockliffe Bennie. The
family moved to nearby Bloomfield, where young Bill received
his early education and graduated valedictorian of his high school.
From there he went to Indiana State University where he received
a Bachelor of Science in Business and English degree and was
listed in Who's Who in American Colleges.
Following graduation, Bill Bennie
was called to active duty in the U.S. Army, where he served three
years. During his initial service he trained in the Army Specialized
Training Program at College of Mines in El Paso. After that he
served in the European Theater of Operations in Headquarters,
12th Armored Division. Subsequently, he served in G-2 Intelligence
Section of the 6th Corps Headquarters.
Re-entering civilian life, he
taught high school in Bloomfield and earned his M.S. degree from
Indiana State. From there he took a position in the William McGuffey
School at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Subsequently, he received
his doctorate from Indiana University in 1955 and was appointed
Director of Student Teaching at Miami University (Oxford). In
this capacity he was involved in one of the earliest programs
for full-time internships for teachers-in-training.
Dr. Bennie joined the faculty
of The University of Texas at Austin in 1961 and directed the
student teaching program for the next 12 years, bringing several
innovations to this experience. He authored two books on supervising
student teachers, contributed many articles to professional journals,
and served as a consultant to colleges and professional organizations.
He held membership in many professional organizations.
Dr. Bennie earned numerous awards
during his service at The University of Texas at Austin. He was
awarded a Certificate of Merit by Phi Delta Kappa and the Ben
Coody Distinguished Service Award by Texas State Teachers Association,
and he was designated a Distinguished Member of the National
Association of Teacher Educators.
In 1973 Dr. Bennie became the
chairman of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and
served in that position until 1978. The department experienced
rapid growth and development during that period, and Dr. Bennie's
leadership was clearly evident. Always a popular leader because
of his honesty and candor, Bill Bennie earned the respect of
those in this diverse department.
After leaving the chairmanship
of the department, Dr. Bennie brought his organizational, managerial,
and personal skills to the Education Placement Service as its
director. His efforts were responsible for enhancing the positive
relationships of the Education Placement Service and The University
of Texas at Austin with school districts throughout the state
and nation. It was in this role that he ended his professional
career at the University in 1989.
Dr. Bennie is survived by his
wife, Betty Burks Bennie; daughter Carol Shay and husband, Jim,
grandchildren, Brenna and Mack Shay, all of Austin; son, James
Andrew Bennie of San Benito, Texas; brother, Dr. Donald E. Bennie
and wife, Nancy, of Nashville, Tennessee; and several nieces
and nephews.
<signed>
Larry R. Faulkner, President
The University of Texas at Austin
<signed>
John R. Durbin, Secretary
The General Faculty
This Memorial Resolution was prepared
by a special committee consisting of Professors Frank J. Guszak
(Chair), Stuart Reifel, and Earl A. Koile.
|
