Deana Burgess Scholarship
The Deana Burgess Scholarship was named in memory of Deana Burgess, the Liaison for the John H. Lounsbury School of Education. She was tragically killed in a car accident in April 2002. The donors for this scholarship are Dr. Craig Smith, Martin D. Burgess, and Family and Friends of Deana Burgess. Criteria for the scholarship are that the recipient be a non-traditional, female student in the John H. Lounsbury School of Education at either the graduate or undergraduate level.
The following remarks were made by Dean Janet Fields at The John H. Lounsbury School of Education 2003 Awards Ceremony. The Deana Burgess Scholarship is in memory of Deana Burgess, School Liaison.
Deana Wills Burgess was an alumna of GC receiving her bachelor, masters, and specialist degrees from GC. Deana also received her gifted certification from GC. Deana worked for Baldwin County and John Milledge Academy before coming to GC as the field-based teacher liaison in August of 2000. Deana lost her life tragically in an automobile accident one year ago today (2002).
Deana quickly won her way into the hearts of everyone who came in contact with her. Her vivacious personality won her the nickname "Dynamo Deana." Deana was the recipient of the outstanding partner in teacher education award in May of 2001. In her letter of application to GC, Deana described herself as "highly organized, efficient, concerned and enthusiastic with things going on in the field of education."
She continued by stating that "After many years of teaching, the flame was dwindling. The professors at GC that I had during my specialist work rekindled that flame." I think all of those who worked with Deana during the two years she served as field-based teacher liaison would say that she brought that flame with her back to GC and to our partner schools and caught us all on fire!
Deana taught us all the value of life, that we should savor every second, that, now I'm really telling my age, as the commercial used to say, "It is good to the last drop!" and so she would encourage each one of us to make the most of each moment.
I would like to share these words from John Burroughs in honor of Deana:
I would rather be ashes than dust.
I would rather my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze, than it should be stifled in dry rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy permanent planet.
Man's chief purpose is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time!
John Burroughs
