Donald J. Barr (May 7, 1935 – January 24, 2008) was an academic and social activist.

Barr was born in Geneva, Ohio. In 1957, Barr earned a B.S. in social and earth sciences from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and in 1959 an M.A. in sociology and in 1964 a Ph.D. in guidance and counseling, both from Indiana University.

Barr then taught at the University of Michigan and in elementary, middle and secondary public schools in Ohio and Indiana. He led numerous workshops and educational programs for such programs as the Telluride Summer Program, National Teacher Corps, National Training Laboratories, Summer Institute for the University of Victoria, UNICEF, Early Childhood Program Development and the National Executive Service Corps in New York City.

Barr joined the faculty of the New York State College of Home Economics at Cornell University in 1971. Barr focused many of his professional and personal activities on fighting bias, prejudice and oppression and on issues related to leadership, empowerment and transforming power oppression. For many years he co-taught a popular Cornell course, Racism in American Society, and inspired many students to choose careers to pursue social change and justice.

In his fight against social injustices, Barr was a leading faculty participant during Apartheid to insist Cornell stop investing in South Africa.

[edit] Publications

Among many publications, Barr authored several books, including "Liberalism to the Test: African-American Migrant Farmworkers and the State of New York," "Transforming Power: A 13-Week Program for Democratic Change in Your Community" and "Educational Leadership for In-School Administrators."

[edit] Awards

He was the recipient of various community service and teaching awards, including the National Danforth Teaching Award, Distinguished Teaching Award for the College of Human Ecology and the key to the city of Cincinnati, Ohio for his empowerment work with low-income families.

[edit] External links

• Obituary
• Faculty Biography