Dear Editor,
Larry Birken, history professor at Ball State, died Sunday afternoon of complications from a brain hemorrhage. I had an interesting vantage point to view Larry and many of the other professors at Ball State.
As a professor at Ball State, I served on a number of committees with Larry. However, more importantly my son, Kevin, took Larry's western history class and was very impressed with both the class and Larry. It made him think deeply about our shared history and its effects on us today. Some comments from Kevin upon news of Larry's death were:
"What a shame, he was one of the best professors I had at Ball State."
"I'd have been interested in talking to him right about now. Goffman (another history professor) too."
"He was better than most. Ball State was lucky to get him."
"Do we still have his book? I'm sure he'd prefer to be remembered via people reading his work."
"It's not often that a professor would take the initiative to present his own perspective."
I happened to read Larry's book on western civilization after Kevin graduated and discovered how rather eventful the so-called "Dark Ages" really were. And Larry helped me understand more clearly how one period created the necessary conditions for the next. It reawakened an interest in history that good professors impart as a lasting gift.
I have had the opportunity firsthand to observe the effect that Ball State professors have on students since my three children attended Ball State (two received B.S. and M.S. degrees, one received an M.S. only). I can clearly state that Ball State professors changed the lives of my kids.
For those who wish to learn, Ball State is a treasure. Thank you professors, and thanks Larry. You and your work will not be forgotten by my family and many of your students.
Frank M. Groom
professor
Center for Information
and Communication Sciences
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