President Bush appoints professor to
White House Commission

A former Warren, Pennsylvania native was appointed to serve on the President's White House Commission on Excellence in Special Education last Wednesday, November 28. President George W. Bush made the appointment. The commission will study issues related to improving special education. It is part of the president's resolve to improve the educational system of the United States.

Dr. William H. Berdine, son of the late Clarence (Ted) and Mary Berdine of Warren, was nominated to serve on the President's Commission by U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning of Kentucky. In his recommendation, Sen. McConnell called Berdine "a leader in improving educational services for disabled children and helping every child reach their full academic potential."

Commenting on his appointment, Berdine said that President Bush "is very serious about education for all kids to have ordered the establishment of this commission, the first of its kind on special education." The Commission will make a thorough examination of issues related to the preparation of qualified special education teachers and will propose solutions to the critical shortage nationwide of special education professionals. From his experience as a department chair and as President of the Higher Education Consortium for Special Education, Berdine will bring to the White House Commission an understanding of these serious issues. The Commission will also address, on a national level, issues related to improvements in special education research that meets current and emerging needs. The Commission is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the White House on April 30, 2002.

Berdine is a1961 graduate of Warren County Area High School, Berdine went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from Lycoming College in 1965 specializing in ancient and medieval history. He entered graduate education in 1968, completing his masters in 1969 and a doctorate in 1972 in special education from the Pennsylvania State University. He is a professor and faculty chair in the department of special education at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Dr. Berdine is married to Stacie Meyer, a special education teacher with 25 years of experience and has two adult children, Michael of Lexington, Kentucky and Lara of New York City, NY. Family members living in the Warren area include: Ray Berdine, Dave Berdine, John Berdine, Jerry Berdine, Barbara Graham, Virginia Sturdevant and two sisters living elsewhere: Julia Endress of Carmichal,California and Nancy Wineriter of Tybee Island, Georgia.

(See newsletter)