I had just a few interactions with Dr. Steven Beering in my travels around Purdue. He was a physician that raised Purdue's profile during his 18 years as president, and set the table well for the fundraising growth years under Martin Jischke.
In the eyes of some, his presidency got off to a bit of a rocky start in 1983 as some Purdue folks had to reconcile that Beering came to West Lafayette having been at Indiana University. He wasn't a naturally warm or engaging personality, especially at the start, at that took some time for some to get used to.
From an athletic standpoint, he settled in to being well respected. Morgan Burke thought very highly of him, which makes sense considering Beering was involved in Burke's hiring in late 1992. And Beering had much to do with Burke returning to his job after Burke's short-term resignation in 1997.
I had mentioned earlier at the time of Fred Akers' eventual hiring in 1986, Beering had reportedly told Boilermaker alumni in Florida t that his athletic program was going to hire Ron Meyer. Beering, and the rest of the Purdue sports world were surprised when Meyer took the Colts job. Beering also was a big fan of Akers, when many in the athletic department were not.
There is truth in those stories, but as I always say I wasn't there to witness the Florida event so there is more to the story than I know. I do know first hand that the sentiment in the athletic department was real regarding the Akers hiring.
At least in terms of athletics, Beering evolved from those days. He played a role in keeping Gene Keady from skipping off to Arizona State in the days after the 1989 season. Three days after the season, Keady said in his press conference when he announced he was going to remain at Purdue that Beering had a role.
"I walked into President Beering's office and looked out the window of the administration building," Keady said. "I was the tradition and remembered what people had been saying about our program and how supportive they had been. (At that point) I made the decision that I am going to coach the Boilermakers next year."
Beering was smart enough to up the ante which certainly didn't hurt. Yet Beering and Keady always seemed to have a strong relationship.
Beering's wife Jane was always a hit among alumni in the early bowl trips of the Joe Tiller Era. She took loads of pictures at those events, and had a way of making sure the people that were in those pictures received a copy when it was all said and done. It was a lot harder than just clicking share or send as it is today.
My most enduring personal memory of Dr. Beering? I believe I was still a graduate intern in the athletic public relations office and was responsible for getting radio commercials written and produced. I had the athletic department "company car" -- an early '80s gold Chevy Chevette. I picked Beering up at Hovde Hall to take him out to WASK (which is across town) to cut some football radio spots and promos. I think he was a bit surprised he was going make the trek across town. in this compact car, and before he said anything, he just got in, cut the commercials and I returned him to Hovde Hall. He was pleasant, maybe slightly embarrassed, but pleasant.
RIP Steven Beering. If you think about the fact there have been have been just five Purdue presidents in the last 49 years, and Beering's tenure was by far the longest, there is much to be said for that.
In the eyes of some, his presidency got off to a bit of a rocky start in 1983 as some Purdue folks had to reconcile that Beering came to West Lafayette having been at Indiana University. He wasn't a naturally warm or engaging personality, especially at the start, at that took some time for some to get used to.
From an athletic standpoint, he settled in to being well respected. Morgan Burke thought very highly of him, which makes sense considering Beering was involved in Burke's hiring in late 1992. And Beering had much to do with Burke returning to his job after Burke's short-term resignation in 1997.
I had mentioned earlier at the time of Fred Akers' eventual hiring in 1986, Beering had reportedly told Boilermaker alumni in Florida t that his athletic program was going to hire Ron Meyer. Beering, and the rest of the Purdue sports world were surprised when Meyer took the Colts job. Beering also was a big fan of Akers, when many in the athletic department were not.
There is truth in those stories, but as I always say I wasn't there to witness the Florida event so there is more to the story than I know. I do know first hand that the sentiment in the athletic department was real regarding the Akers hiring.
At least in terms of athletics, Beering evolved from those days. He played a role in keeping Gene Keady from skipping off to Arizona State in the days after the 1989 season. Three days after the season, Keady said in his press conference when he announced he was going to remain at Purdue that Beering had a role.
"I walked into President Beering's office and looked out the window of the administration building," Keady said. "I was the tradition and remembered what people had been saying about our program and how supportive they had been. (At that point) I made the decision that I am going to coach the Boilermakers next year."
Beering was smart enough to up the ante which certainly didn't hurt. Yet Beering and Keady always seemed to have a strong relationship.
Beering's wife Jane was always a hit among alumni in the early bowl trips of the Joe Tiller Era. She took loads of pictures at those events, and had a way of making sure the people that were in those pictures received a copy when it was all said and done. It was a lot harder than just clicking share or send as it is today.
My most enduring personal memory of Dr. Beering? I believe I was still a graduate intern in the athletic public relations office and was responsible for getting radio commercials written and produced. I had the athletic department "company car" -- an early '80s gold Chevy Chevette. I picked Beering up at Hovde Hall to take him out to WASK (which is across town) to cut some football radio spots and promos. I think he was a bit surprised he was going make the trek across town. in this compact car, and before he said anything, he just got in, cut the commercials and I returned him to Hovde Hall. He was pleasant, maybe slightly embarrassed, but pleasant.
RIP Steven Beering. If you think about the fact there have been have been just five Purdue presidents in the last 49 years, and Beering's tenure was by far the longest, there is much to be said for that.
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