Ralph J. Bailey has been honored as the Lorin A. Burt Award recipient for 1997.

The award, one of the top education awards in the state, was presented to Bailey at the School Board and School Superintendent's Convention Sept. 29 in Indianapolis.

Nominees for the award must have made a significant contribution to Indiana public education, either during the course of a school year or over the course of their career. Bailey, 70, was chosen from 11 Indiana educators to receive the honor.

Bailey has been named a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest award bestowed by the governor of Indiana. The award exemplifies "humanity in living, loyality in friendship, wisdom in council and inspiration in leadership."

He is vice president of Whitley County Retired Teachers Association and the John & Hester Adams Trust Board. He is co-founder of Somebody Cares Inc., a counseling program in Whitley County serving needy students and adults.

Bailey, who is interim superintendent with Wabash City Schools, was superintendent of Columbia City Schools from 1966 to 1989. He served as interim superintendent of the Whitko School Corp. in 1996.

After graduating from Pierceton High School, Bailey earned his bachelor's degree from Manchester College and his master's degree from Indiana University. He holds a superintendent's certificate from Ball State University.

He began his career in education as a teacher at Coesse School, then served as principal of Etna Troy and Cromwell schools before becoming superintendent of Columbia City Schools in 1966.

The Lorin A. Burt Award is given annually to an outstanding educator for "overall excellence in contributions to Hoosier education." Burt, a former Leesburg High School principal, was executive secretary to the Indiana School Boards Association from 1960 to 1967. The award was created in his honor following his death in 1968.

Burt's father, Carl, was a superintendent of Warsaw Schools for many years. [[In-content Ad]]