Lewie Burnett, former CEAS dean, passes away
- July 2, 2008
Lewie W. Burnett, who as dean helped lay the foundation for Cal State East Bay's College of Education and Allied Studies to become one of the biggest producers of school teachers in the state, passed away on June 28, at the age of 93.
In recognition of his dedication to the college and university, Burnett's family requests that colleagues and friends wishing to make a donation in his memory do so to the College of Education and Allied Studies Scholarship Fund of California State University, East Bay, c/o Division of University Advancement, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., WA-908, Hayward, Calif. 94542. Checks should be made payable to "Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation" and should include a note that the donation is "in memory of Dr. Lewie Burnett."
Burnett joined the CSUEB faculty in September 1962 as professor for the Department of Administration and Supervision (now called Educational Leadership), was awarded tenure and appointed the department's chair one year later. He was appointed head of the Division of Education in 1964 and dean of Cal State East Bay's School of Education in 1970.
He retired as dean of education emeritus in 1980 and continued to teach through the Faculty Early Retirement Program in 1981.
Burnett began his career in education by teaching history and English at a junior high school in Seattle, Wash., while attending Central Washington State College, where he received his bachelor's degree in those two subjects. He also did graduate study work in history at the University of Washington and further graduate work in political science at the University of California, Berkeley before enlisting in the Navy at the outbreak of World War II. After basic training in Norfolk, Va., he was stationed at Balboa Island in San Diego, where he met his future wife, Virginia. At Balboa Island, he was in charge of the athletic programs on the base, but by the end of the war was stationed in the Philippines.
Following the war, he resumed his education at Stanford University, where he earned his doctorate degree in school administration and teacher education in 1948. Concurrently he served as an elementary school principal in East Palo Alto and upon completing his Stanford studies became director of student teaching at Central Washington State College.
From there Burnett became chair of the Department of Elementary Education at George Washington University (1950-53), visiting professor at the University of Michigan (1952), director of curriculum for the Monroe (Michigan) Public Schools (1953-55), dean of the College of Education at the University of Toledo (1955-57), and head of the Division of Education at Fresno State College (1957-61).
Burnett was assistant superintendent of Public Schools in Great Neck, N.Y., in 1961-62 before moving to the CSUEB campus in Hayward.
After his retirement, he spent time traveling with Virginia, his wife of 65 years. He also gardened, attended sporting events, and enjoyed the antics of his seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, according to his son Keith Burnett. Keith Burnett said his father was "an avid reader and lover of history, spending a great deal of time studying the Christian religion and researching and writing a detailed history of the Burnett family."
His survivors include his wife Virginia, children Richard, Keith, Susan, and Nancy, and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cards and letters of condolence may be sent to Virginia Burnett, 900 E. Stanley Blvd., #283, Livermore, CA 94550.
