The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents
approved a request, at its regular meeting June 19, to
name the EMU Quirk Theatre backstage workspace after P.
George Bird.
 |
BIRD'S NEST: P. George Bird, EMU's longest-serving
faculty member, works backstage at Quirk Theatre.
The backstage workspace, where Bird spent much
of
his 55 years at EMU, was formally named after
him
by the Board of Regents at its June 19 meeting. |
Bird was the longest-serving faculty member in EMU history
(1955-2007). He served for 52 years as a teacher, director
and scenic/lighting designer until his spring 2007 retirement.
He constructed sets for more than 250 EMU Theatre productions
and directed more than 60 of them.
"We (already) have a photo of him hung backstage," said
Dennis Beagen, department head of communication and theatre
arts. "Exterior to the scene shop, we will put a plaque
in his honor."
Bird, who started teaching and designing at Michigan State
Normal College in fall 1955, provided the sketches that
were the basis for what is now the Quirk Building. During
Bird's 52-year career, the building, particularly the backstage
scene shop, housed his office from where he served in a
variety of positions including professor, designer, carpenter
and director.
EMU policy states that buildings, building spaces and
areas "shall be named by the Board of Regents based upon
the recommendations made by the president of the university." Designated
areas of buildings may be named for those who have retired
or left their position for a minimum of three years.
The regents made an exception to the three-year rule in
this particular case.
"He has been here longer than any other EMU employee,"
said Don Loppnow, provost and vice president for academic
affairs. "We believe this is an extraordinary and
exceptional situation, given the tens of thousands of students
he's served." — Ron Podell contributed to
this report.
