Six Decades of Service
Brock and Barbara Allen have donated a portion of their estate to SDSU.
Professors Emeritus Brock and Barbara Allen regard their combined six decades of service at San Diego State University as a calling rather than a job.
“We have always thought of SDSU as an extended family,” Barbara told a gathering of retired faculty several years ago.
For that reason, they have made a bequest intention to donate a portion of their estate to improve teaching and learning at SDSU. This recent gift follows a 2003 endowment established in the name of Barbara’s mother, Erma Woike, to provide professional opportunities for staff in the College of Education.
During the 10 years before retirement, Brock was director of the Center for Teaching and Learning. Previously, he was a faculty member in the Department of Educational Technology and co-founder of SDSU’s joint doctoral program in education and the Language Acquisition Resource Center (LARC).
Barbara served as assistant dean in the College of Education, faculty member in the Departments of Special Education and Teacher Education and assistant director in the latter department. She was training coordinator and SDSU liaison with the San Diego Unified School District for the U.S. Teacher Corps program.
Jointly, the Allens acted as consultants for programs of education in the United States, China, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. Both are recipients of Monty Awards from the College of Education, he for outstanding faculty achievements, and she for outstanding alumni achievements.
More than ever, the Allens believe that universities have a responsibility to make the world a better place by addressing both societal challenges and the needs of the marginalized. Their gift will help ensure that high quality instruction remains a priority at San Diego State University. And their children support the bequest as confirmation of the Allens as true Aztecs for Life.
