May 27, 1997
CONTACT: Rosemary Gladden, 594-2585
SDSU's College of Education recognizes Morse High School principal for courage and integrity
SDSU's College of Education recognized Morse High School Principal Shirley Peterson as the first recipient of the Kurt Friedrich Secondary Administrator Award, an award established in memory of a longtime SDSU professor who passed away last October.
"Kurt Friedrich was a quiet man who always demonstrated adherence to principle, courage and integrity," said William Streshly, professor in SDSU's College of Education. Streshly is also a former principal and school superintendent. "Shirley Peterson is someone who consistently has demonstrated those same qualities in making decisions even in the face of adversity."
Streshly says that Peterson's presence has made the inner-city school a calm campus, although it has encountered several difficult situations. "When teachers or staff don't live up to professional standards she immediately takes steps to resolve the issue so teachers and staff are not derailed. She has also dealt effectively with community groups strongly divided over issues."
Peterson's presence has allowed the school to focus on the students, Streshly says. She has established career paths at the school, some of which include technology, business and aerospace focuses and the National Science Foundation awarded Morse High School a $1.2 million grant which increased the number of computers at the school to 700 -- one or two for every classroom. Approximately 200 of those computers are connected to the internet and every teacher has access to e-mail and laptop computers.
The award is named for Kurt Friedrich, a professor in SDSU's College of Education from 1949 to 1977 and a founding member of the Mission Bay Yacht Club. At the University, he was coach of the sailing team and was leader of a team organized by the State Department to aid in the democratization of education in Germany and Austria following World War II. He attended Columbia College on a history scholarship, but was also an athlete in track and football. In 1934, his team beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl. He went on to receive graduate degrees from Columbia University.
Peterson was recognized during the College of Education's end-of-the-year recognition ceremony on May 19. The award was established by Friedrich's wife Harriet Kopp, a former SDSU faculty member and department chair of the University's Communicative Disorders Department. She also served as acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services for two years. The award will be presented each year.
Peterson's name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be hung in the dean's office of the College of Education.
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