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IN MEMORIAM
L. D. HASKEW
L. D. Haskew, the man considered the
"Dean of Texas Education," died February 17, 1991, after a
brief illness. Funeral services for The University of Texas professor
emeritus of educational administration were held in Austin on February
20, 1991, at University United Methodist Church.
In a distinguished career that spanned
more than five decades, Haskew was hailed as mentor, prophet, and friend
of the Texas public school system. Soon after moving to Austin to take
the job as dean of the College of Education in 1947, he authored the
historic and far-reaching Gilmer-Akin Act, passed by the Texas Legislature
in 1949. He was a prime mover in Texas education reform and one of public
education’s most eloquent spokesmen.
Haskew, who continued to be active until
shortly before his death, insisted he was "retired only on payday."
Superintendents, school board members, principals, supervisors, members
of the legislature, state officials, the Texas Department of Education,
classroom teachers, U.S. presidents, and virtually anyone or any group
trying to improve education called on him at one time or another as
advisor and consultant.
Besides serving as dean of the College
of Education, Haskew also held the positions of vice president and vice
chancellor of The University of Texas System. His leadership helped
the University rise to a position of prominence among the nation’s
institutions of higher learning.
As dean of the College of Education,
he initiated and worked toward a complete restructuring of the undergraduate
program. Under his direction, the College of Education began its emergence
into national eminence as a center for graduate study.
As vice chancellor, Haskew godfathered
the first computation center for the University, educational television
that became KLRN/KLRU, and the first ten-year plan for upward expansion
of The University of Texas. Even in this high office, he continued to
be a teacher and advocate of education at all levels.
His abiding scholarly interest was in
the preparation of administrators for schools and colleges and in the
study of administration itself. He was the founder of The University
of Texas Cooperative Superintendency Program, recognized as the outstanding
program of its kind in the nation. Now in its thirteenth cycle and headed
by the L. D. Haskew Centennial Professor for Public School Administration,
Nolan Estes, the program prepares outstanding leaders and executives
for public schools.
A key figure in education and political
circles, Haskew found great satisfaction in building bridges between
the grass roots and state level. He believed "if people understand
the needs of education, they will provide the wherewithal to settle
those needs."
In addition to his teaching and administrative
duties, Haskew was always in demand as a speaker throughout the country.
His publications include over a hundred periodical articles and chapters,
several monographs, and books. Among his best known writings are This
is Teaching and Renewal of the Administration for American Schools.
Haskew founded The University of Texas
One Week Work Conferences for School Leaders, which for years were seedbeds
out of which sprouted an effective state system of education. He cofounded
the Conference on Teacher Education which translated the new certification
code into improved practices by colleges and universities. He was instrumental
in ushering in a new era for the Texas Association of School Boards,
helped start the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,
and was an active worker and staunch supporter of the Texas Congress
of Parents and Teachers.
His influence in education continued
to be felt during the '80s. He played a key role in the education reform
movement, which led to the revamping of the Texas public school system.
In 1984 he was named to head the search team which chose William Kirby
as Commissioner of Education.
Tall and gangly, Haskew appeared a mix
of Abraham Lincoln and Ichabod Crane. A southern accent touched of his
Alabama and Georgia roots. Haskew was born on October 4, 1907, in Perote,
Alabama, the son of a Methodist minister. He attended public schools
in Tuskegee and Montgomery, Alabama, and then went on to earn a Bachelor
of Philosophy degree from Emory University, a Master of Arts from the
University of Chicago, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University
of Georgia.
Before coming to Texas, Haskew served
in the Georgia public schools as an athletic coach, high school principal,
city school superintendent, and country school superintendent. In higher
education he was professor and director of teacher education at Emory
University and Agnes Scott College. He was also a visiting professor
at New York University, Stanford University, the University of Georgia,
and Teachers College, Columbia University.
Haskew was instrumental in founding
two prominent national associations in his field of study–the National
Council of Professors of Educational Administration and the University
Council for Educational Administration. The National Council dedicated
its 30-year history to Professor Haskew. During his notable career,
Haskew also served in key advisory roles to six presidents of the United
States, from Roosevelt to Kennedy. His commitment to education resulted
in 47 national recognitions for outstanding service and achievement.
Shortly before his retirement, The University
of Texas at Austin Graduate School honored Haskew with its prized graduate
teaching award. On his retirement, an endowed professorship was established
in his name by citizens of the state of Texas, school leaders, faculty,
and colleagues.
Haskew was also recognized for his work
as civic leader and humanitarian. His involvement spanned the realm
of community, public, and religious service. In 1980 he received the
Most Worthy Citizen Award from the Austin Board of Realtors. He was
a campaign director and president of the Austin United Fund, member
of the board of directors of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, president
of the Austin Council on Alcoholism, Austin Council of Churches, and
Community Council of Austin. He was a lay leader and Sunday school teacher
in the Methodist church.
The former high school coach was also
a rabid football fan.
L. D. Haskew was modest about his achievements.
Not one to sing his own praises, others were more than willing to do
that for him. A newspaper reporter once called him "[a] newsman’s
dream. He will always say something quotable–always have a new
and surprising idea which seems just right." Another admirer called
him "a universal man, a man of integrity and honor, a man of humor
and great compassion."
For Texas education, probably no single
person has wielded so much influence or been a greater friend.
Haskew is survived by his son, Lawrence
D. Haskew, Jr., of Plano, Texas; his grandchildren, DeFae Haskew Weaver
of Plano, Dave Lawrence Haskew of Dallas, Pierce Lang Lowrey III of
Atlanta, Georgia, and Jennifer Lowrey Blencowe of Columbia, South Carolina;
and three great-grandchildren.
<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 Professors Nolan Estes
(chair), Kenneth E. McIntyre (who contributed material about Professor
Haskew before his death in 1996), and Michael P. Thomas.
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