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Dakota Midday: New USD School Of Education Dean

University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota’s School of Education has a new dean. Donald Easton-Brooks has been on the job for a month. He comes to Vermillion from Eastern Oregon University, where he served as professor and dean of the Colleges of Business and Education for two years.

Easton-Brooks received his master’s degree in early childhood special education at the University of Colorado at Denver and earned his doctorate in education leadership and innovation from UC-Denver. Easton-Brooks’ research and scholarship includes urban education, ethnic-matching of students and teachers, minority education and teacher diversity. Since 1996 Easton-Brooks worked as an instructor and a lecturer in the fields of human development, health and human services and sociology at several colleges and universities. He served as assistant professor of education at the University of North Texas and as associate professor at Hamline University in St. Paul before becoming a full professor at Eastern Oregon.

Donald Easton Brooks joined Dakota Midday and shared his vision for USD's School of Education.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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