Kirkish to Receive Donovan Award
HOUGHTON--Professor Emeritus
Joe Kirkish has been selected to receive the 2002 Clair M. Donovan Award.
The annual award honors a member
of the faculty, staff or student body at Michigan Tech for outstanding
service and is presented by the MTU chapter of the Blue Key National Honor
Fraternity.
Kirkish was nominated by Tech
chemistry professor Les Leifer, who received the award in 2001. Leifer
cited Kirkish's devotion to MTU students, which has continued since his
retirement a decade ago, and his service to the community.
"It was a very easy selection,"
Leifer said. "Joe's a very open, caring person, and he's been giving
of himself without letup for years."
The award is made in honor
of MTU alumnus Clair Donovan, who, as national president of Blue Key and
as a civic leader, "made immeasurable contributions to the public
image and prosperity of Michigan Technological University."
Blue Key president Ed Verhamme
agreed that Kirkish was a natural to receive the Donovan Award. "He
retired long ago, but Joe is still involved with the University and the
community," he said. "He started the Tech Arts Festival just
because he saw a need for it, and he's done so many things like that.
"Dr. Leifer read the list
of Donovan award winners, and said, 'Who's missing from this list? Joe
Kirkish.'"
Kirkish began his career at
Tech in 1956, rising to the rank of professor in the humanities department
and teaching a variety of subjects, including photography and film. He
remains active at MTU as the advisor for music fraternity Mu Beta Psi,
which sponsors Club Indigo. The monthly dinner-theater events benefit
the Calumet Theatre and are emceed by Kirkish. He also organizes programs
for the Little Gem Theatre in Lake Linden and reads three afternoons a
week to seniors in nursing homes.
He maintains a room at his
home where students can spend the night when they need to escape the pressures
of college life, or where his former students can stop by on their return
visits to Houghton.
"Students frequently come
to him for help in solving personal problems, proofreading and for help
with job applications," Leifer said.
Kirkish founded WGGL and managed
the radio station from 1969 to 1976, broadcasting a variety of groundbreaking
programs, from discussions on controversial local issues to foreign programs
that served the needs of MTU's international students.
"Plus, he has consistently
supported and given his know-how to many other groups in the arts, on
campus and in the community," Leifer said. "He's been a jewel
in this community for years. I think he wants to give back what's been
given to him, and he's truly done that."
4/2/02--MTN021
