KU’s School of Education prepares to celebrate centennial

This rendering shows the School of Education’s planned Centennial Reading Plaza.

The following events are planned in association with the Kansas University School of Education’s centennial celebration.

January

28 — Special Education Distinguished Lecture by Charles Eldridge

February

12 — Schools of Education: Past, Present and Future lecture by David Labaree, Stanford University

April

2 — Graduate student research conference

9 — James Naismith Lecture series

15 — The Future of Educational Research Lecture by David Berliner, Arizona State University

24 — Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science fitness event

May

16 — Spring convocation

June

11 — Summer conference and celebration barbecue

12 — Reading plaza dedication

12 — Gala event

Kansas University’s School of Education is marking its centennial this year with the construction of a new reading plaza, a variety of events and lectures.

Rick Ginsberg, the school’s dean, said the school is constructing an outdoor reading area, with benches, tables and landscaping outside Joseph R. Pearson Hall. It is selling engraved bricks with donors’ names on them to help fund the project.

For $100, donors can have their names placed on a plaque displayed in Joseph R. Pearson Hall. Two different sizes of bricks are available for $250 or $450.

“I think it’s important to recognize historical milestones,” Ginsberg said. “We’re proud of that fact that we’ve been around for 100 years.”

Today, its special education program is the top-ranked program in the country among public institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report.

“That’s pretty darned good for a school in Kansas,” Ginsberg said. “We have a lot to be proud of.”

Its more than 28,000 living alumni have gone on to become teachers, superintendents and principals across the country, Ginsberg said. The school also has graduated some famous sports figures, including KU football great Gale Sayers, and three of the top winningest NCAA Division I basketball coaches — Phog Allen, Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp.

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, taught physical education courses there, too.

During the next semester, the school will welcome a variety of lecturers, many endowed by the special education department, Ginsberg said, and the 100-year celebration will culminate at a conference held in June.

The school continues to undergo changes as it looks to the future, and is in the middle of a transition from a five-year program for training teachers to a four-year one.

Pending program approvals, the new system could be in place by 2011.