The House that Jack Built: University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene Dean Jack Dawson Leaves an Education Legacy
Thursday, July 17 2008
July 17, 2008 Photos are available at www.today.uidaho.edu/PhotoList.aspx. COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – When the new dean of University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene arrived in 1982 with a freshly inked doctorate in education, he began his tenure in an 8x10-foot space in the Coeur d’Alene School District office. It was furnished with a cafeteria-style folding table, phone and metal chair. The roster of University of Idaho personnel in North Idaho was nearly as sparse, consisting of Dean Jack Dawson and his administrative assistant Helen Piller. A lot has changed since then, but Dawson’s ties to the region’s schools remain tight and his commitment to education unwavering. After 26 years as dean of University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene, Dawson will retire in August. “I’ve known Jack since he was a principal in the Coeur d’Alene School District, when I was a teacher,” said Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem. “Jack is a passionate consensus builder who quietly gets the job done. He is dedicated to creating more community leaders by allowing, supporting and encouraging others around him to take on leadership roles.” On his way through Idaho heading for a job interview in Oregon, Dawson stopped briefly in a town whose name he struggled to pronounce, Coeur d’Alene. He liked the place, so he popped into the school district office and was sent in to see the superintendent, who suggested he visit Dalton Elementary School principal Warren Bakes. Bakes hired Dawson as a sixth grade teacher in 1971. Dawson taught in Coeur d’Alene schools for six years and served as a principal for five. He went back to school and earned a doctorate from the University of Idaho in Moscow in 1982, and was hired as the dean of University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene that same year. Many years later, Dawson hired Bakes to place student teachers in classrooms throughout the region. Bakes still serves as coordinator of student placement for the College of Education in Coeur d’Alene. “What distinguishes Jack as a leader is his willingness to listen, and his work ethic,” said Bakes. “He literally has been the builder of the Harbor Center. His long hours and devotion have resulted in the University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene becoming everything that it is.” Dawson is quick to point out that the university’s growth in Coeur d’Alene has been supported by partnerships with the city, school district, North Idaho College and other entities. University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene operated out of the school district office until 1987 and moved to the Sherman School building on the NIC campus at the invitation of then NIC president Barry Schuler. The university occupied about one quarter of the building, Dawson recalls. He soon was looking for more space to support a growing faculty and curriculum. In 1991, he found it, or rather, envisioned it. “When I saw the blueprints for the NIC library, there were one and a half floors,” Dawson recalled. “I asked them if we completed the second floor, could we have it, and they said sure. So the university financed one quarter of the building.” The university still retains that classroom space. When the university outgrew the top floor of Molstead Library in 2001, Mayor Steve Judy approached Dawson with several options in hopes of keeping the university in his town. Those options included the lease of a 29,000 square-foot Harbor Center facility. The Center opened its doors in 2002, and currently serves as a hub to 48 University of Idaho faculty, staff and administrators supporting 1,200 students a year. As the population of North Idaho has grown, so has the need for education and institutional collaboration, said Dawson. He has been a tireless supporter of the North Idaho Education Corridor, and passionately opposes moving either University of Idaho or NIC outside the city. “The education corridor is a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “The cry is to go out where the land is cheap. The problem is there’s no infrastructure out there, no buildings, no curbs, no sewer. Here we’re all set up. Our toilets flush to the sewer faster than any toilets in town,” he added with a smile. “The sewage treatment plant is just about 100 feet from here.” While Dawson is proud of the Harbor Center itself, his biggest challenge and greatest point of pride has been building local programs and faculty. In 1982, University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene offered a smattering of teacher education and recertification courses, but no degrees. It now offers six undergraduate degree programs and four undergraduate minors, 10 graduate degree programs and five certificate programs. Courses are offered through the College of Education, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, and the College of Graduate Studies. The vast majority of University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene programs provide teacher education, enrichment and recertification. Dawson credits former University of Idaho President Tom Bell for establishing and supporting the center early on, is grateful for the support College of Education deans he has worked with, calls Bloem “the best mayor in the world and the true champion of the education corridor,” and recognizes the contributions of his staff and faculty. “This business is all about relationships, and I’ve been blessed with great support here,” said Dawson. “The institution and its programs are strong and getting stronger.” Larry Branen, University of Idaho associate vice president for northern Idaho, will take over operations of the center. Branen continues to explore how best to expand its focus to meet the changing needs of the region. One option is to partner with the city to make the most of the proximity of the sewage treatment plant and the center, eventually incorporating both facilities to create a water research facility. Uncomfortable tooting his own horn, Dawson readily acknowledges the strengths of those around him. “We’re leaving the institution in good shape,” he said. “It’s strong and getting stronger. Larry’s got some ideas that are just perfect for this time. They’re just fresh. The transition is going to be wonderful.” Dawson’s legacy is quiet but powerful, like the river that flows past his Harbor Center window. “It has been an honor to work with Jack on a variety of community projects over these many years,” said Bloem. “Linking his long-term commitment to education to his current leadership role at the University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene, the legacy he leaves will be his fierce dedication to making higher education a quality experience – one that is accessible to everyone.” # # # About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Contact: Joni Kirk, University Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.edu DE-7/17/08-UICDA
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.