51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø

Dr. G. Burns Cooper

Professor of English, Emeritus

WHEREAS Dr. G. Burns Cooper served the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1990 until his death in 2020; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cooper began his career at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø as a linguistics specialist but also distinguished himself as a teacher, author, award-winning poet and scholar of forensic speech science; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cooper sought to meet each student’s needs, removing obstacles for those who struggled with grammar while challenging those attracted to the subject, all with encouragement and humor; and he chaired four successful graduate student committees and participated in nineteen others; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cooper’s major research, which led to a book, explored the linguistic roots of poetry’s musical qualities; and he published dozens of articles, reviews, papers and lectures, as well as poetry and essays; and

WHEREAS Dr. Cooper served as a willing guide for myriad Alaskans seeking clarity on points of language; and he served on multiple University committees; and he is warmly remembered by colleagues for his leadership talent as chair of the English Department, acting chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø expresses its deep appreciation for Dr. G. Burns Cooper’s extensive contributions to the State of Alaska and to the University; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø, in further recognition of the invaluable services rendered by Dr. Cooper and as evidence of the University’s desire that his identification with the University be maintained, hereby salutes the posthumous recognition of Dr. G. Burns Cooper as Professor of English, Emeritus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and signed by the Chancellor of the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø as further evidence of the esteem and respect in which he holds Dr. G. Burns Cooper, and conveyed to Dr. Cooper’s representative on this first day of May, 2021.