Text of a eulogy delivered by Carol and Michael Eisenberg on Aug. 7, 2021:
Carol: “Hello, I am Carol Eisenberg, here with my husband, Michael, to celebrate our dear friend Scott and share our personal memories of him. We first met Scott through Syracuse University in the early 1980s. He was a student there and Michael will elaborate on that in just a minute. We stayed in touch when he went to Chapel Hill in the mid-1980s, but he really became a close friend and member of our extended family when he came to Seattle in 1998-99.
Michael: I was a professor at the Syracuse School of Information Studies (which included library science and all things “information”). I was heavily involved with technology, and the dean, Evelyn Daniel, asked me to set up our tech systems and lab. I was looking for a student to manage the lab, and Joe Janes from Oneida, who many of you may know, was a student in our School. He introduced me to Scott Barker. Scott was a computer science student at SU, and he was a tech wiz — even then. Scott wasn’t so sure what this “Information Studies thing” was, but agreed to work with us and over the lab. And, from the first, Scott did it his way. By that, I mean he researched and planned and selected only the best, most appropriate (but economical) hardware and software. His tech vision was student-focused, faculty- and staff-focused, and future-focused. When Scott graduated from SU, we couldn’t just let him leave the School, so Evelyn encouraged him to get a master’s degree in information management, and sweetened the deal with a scholarship. Scott did so, adding to his knowledge and skills and helping us to continue to move forward.
In a couple of years, Evelyn surprised us all by accepting the position as dean of the library and information school at UNC, a recognized leader in the library field but one badly in need of a broader information focus — the kind that Syracuse was known for. Shortly after getting to Chapel Hill, Evelyn recruited Scott there to be the head of Information Technology (IT). Scott did his thing — building a great infrastructure, now focusing on personal computers, local networking, and eventually this thing called “the Internet.” Scott and I talked often, and while he was proud of his work, he was also a bit frustrated at UNC because only a few of the faculty really took advantage of what he had built. Many were still stuck in the old ways of doing things. Of course, it wasn’t an either/or, and Scott helped improve things over the years, but I knew he wasn’t satisfied.
In the meantime, I had a pretty good gig at SU, and I never dreamed of leaving. But, in 1998, I was recruited heavily by the University of Washington to transform their modest Graduate School of Library and Information Science into a powerhouse of the information age. They promised a free hand and lots of resources to plant the Syracuse seeds in the fertile fields of Seattle. After my first interview, I immediately talked to Scott for advice but also to share my excitement. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. So, I asked Scott, “If I went, would he come too?” He gave me a tentative yes, but I really don’t think he believed it would happen or that he would come. Three months later — right after I got the offer, I called Scott again. I remember clearly — I was in Albany, New York, at a hotel on Washington Avenue near the SUNY campus, attending a New York State-sponsored meeting. I found a pay phone off the lobby, and I called Scott in North Carolina. I said, “OK, I’m going! Are you ready?” He hesitated a beat, probably gulped, but then laughed and said something like, “Yes, let’s do it.” He arrived in Seattle in January 1999.
Carol: In Seattle, we were all a long way from home, and the Syracuse folks — Scott, us, Joe Janes, and Mike and Heather Greenstein quickly bonded as a “Syracuse in Seattle” family.
We got together for almost all Syracuse sporting events — particularly football and basketball. Sometimes we went out to restaurants or bars, but more often we’d convene at someone’s house. We rotated locations but wherever we were, we each wore our lucky SU gear and sat in our lucky SU seats. Superstitious? Not us! We all helped the team win (and blamed the refs when we lost). Sometimes it got very tense, particularly in close games. Scott never swore, but he could be pretty critical and yes, even yelled at the coaches and refs. We supported each other’s idiosyncrasies, and it was a real therapy session and outlet for our pent-up emotions.
Food was also a comfort at these events. Sometimes a noon event in Syracuse was early morning for us. Scott was the breakfast guy — he made his famous scrambled eggs and sausage overnight casserole. That was everyone’s favorite.
Michael: But it wasn’t all social and fun and games for us. At the Information School, Scott was a force. His main job (which he still held) was IT Director. We knew that our school needed to have the best possible technology systems to attract top students and faculty, and to deliver the very best educational, research, and community outreach programs. And Scott created that — at warp speed. We soon had an extensive, cutting-edge, and stable infrastructure that was heavily used by faculty, students, and staff. Scott also helped to design the lab and tech facilities in new space in Mary Gates Hall (named after Bill Gates’ mother). Scott was also instrumental in creating the brand and logo for our school — the “iSchool.” Scott and I chose that term from a list of options, and the faculty and staff quickly concurred. We were the first in the world to call ourselves the “iSchool.” That term is now the signature brand of over 100 iSchools around the world — in South Korea, Germany, China, France, Singapore, Africa, and many top universities across the U.S. and Canada. That may not seem like much, but trust me — the iSchool brand is a very big deal.
Scott was deeply involved with all aspects of the Information School. He was fearless about stating his insights, views and opinions. At meetings, he would challenge or question anyone — dean, associate dean, or full professor — and his opinions often won the day. Scott wasn’t confrontational, but he was perceptive and tenacious.
Carol: One of my most memorable times with Scott was in 2003 when SU went to the final four in basketball in New Orleans. As soon as we won the elite eight game to make the finals, Scott, my son Brian and I knew that we just had to be there (Michael manned the fort and school back home and watched the games with Joe). Scott got the tickets, I made the hotel and flight arrangements. We met Mark and Kelly in New Orleans and there we were — a weekend of games and excitement. I sat between Brian and Scott and because I couldn’t pace back and forth (as I normally did at games), both of them wound up with sore arms from my excited pounding. When we won, we went crazy, celebrating into the night on Bourbon Street with Syracuse fans and even hanging out with Coach Boeheim and some of the team. It was the highlight of a lifetime for all of us.
Michael: If all that Scott did at the iSchool was serve as IT Director, that would have been more than enough to secure his legacy. But he did two other amazing things that contributed as much or even more: 1) he led the undergraduate Informatics degree program, and 2) he taught the all-important introductory, gateway course, Intellectual Foundations of Informatics.
Informatics is the application of computers and other information technology and information itself in business, education, medicine — really all aspects of human life. Our society today is called the information society (not the computer or tech society) because information is at the heart of all that we do. Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon — they are all information companies.
We launched the bachelor’s program in Informatics in 2000. The program started out OK, but ran into some serious difficulties in the mid-2000s. New enrollments had shrunk from 70 students to 35. It was a crisis. So, what did we do? We handed the leadership to Scott, of course (on top of his role as Director of IT). And, frankly, he went crazy! Scott put his heart and soul into Informatics, and it paid off big time. He led the faculty and staff in streamlining the curriculum, honing a marketing message, beefing up student services (and job placement), and making sure that classes were top shelf. He also energized the students — and they became enthusiastic advocates and promoters of the program across campus and to the broader public too. Within a few years, Informatics had completely turned around. During Scott’s tenure as Informatics chair, annual applications increased from less than 100 to close to 1,000. We increased overall enrollment from 70 to approximately 500. Informatics became one of the most desirable majors on campus — with starting salaries competitive with computer science and business and job placements over 90%. And, this success — under Scott’s leadership — was a major factor in the status of the entire Information School moving from a relatively minor, unknown player on campus to a major-league star among the other schools and colleges, and recognized world-wide as a model and leader for the entire information field. Even Syracuse and UNC were impressed and envious. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Scott started a scholarship program for Informatics students — the Scott Barker Endowed Fund for Excellence in Informatics, which provides scholarships for Informatics students who demonstrate academic merit and leadership potential.
Carol: Back to the personal side. We always had Thanksgiving at our house with our family and a few friends, especially Scott. Scott always made the pumpkin pie. In the last few years, Scott didn’t come to Thanksgiving. He had noticed that a number of students at the iSchool had no place to go for Turkey day, so he decided to reach out — making dinner at his home and inviting students to join him and Caitlin when she came to stay with him in the last couple of years. Of course, Scott always came home to Oneida for Christmas — that was a given — and he took as many family as wanted to go to SU basketball games. Scott also got together with various family members in the summer. He loved making travel plans and going with them to new places. He was a super tour guide.
Michael: In 2017, Scott stepped down as Informatics chair after 11 years. He was ready for a new challenge, so Scott turned to teaching. Now, we all know that our Scott wasn’t a very flashy, extroverted person. But you should have seen him in the classroom! I’m not talking about teaching small classes of 25 or even 50 students. Imagine this — Scott in a large, tiered, two-story lecture hall that holds hundreds of students. Twice a week for an hour at a pop, there’s Scott challenging and inspiring hundreds of students in the Informatics gateway (introductory) course — Intellectual Foundations of Informatics. Think about it, a vast room filled with mostly 18- to 22-year olds with short attention spans, brought up on smartphones, video games and social media, being mesmerized by Scott Barker explaining and exciting them about deep topics like systems design, artificial intelligence, big data, social media, and information ethics. I just wish you could have seen it.
Scott became one of our leading and most-admired teachers, and he was promoted to Associate Teaching Professor status, which is about as good as it gets. I estimate that Scott probably taught 500-600 students a year, thousands in total.
Lastly, one final note about my professional but also personal connection with Scott. For me, Scott has always been a personal confidant and advisor. Before I accepted the position at the UW, I called Scott — yes, to recruit him, but also for advice about what I should do. And, Carol can attest that as dean and later as teacher, researcher, and consultant, I always sought out Scott’s opinion. It didn’t matter if I was making a planning or financial decision, trying out a new type of teaching, setting up a project, consulting at another university, or simply buying a new computer or device. Scott was my go-to guy. And he was my friend — a best friend. In my life, he is simply irreplaceable.
Carol: Let me conclude our tribute by saying a few general things about my wonderful friend Scott. Scott always cared about me personally, and everyone as an individual, listening and hearing whatever was on your mind. Scott was always there when you needed him. Generous, thoughtful, polite, kind to all, and always positive. I never knew him to say anything bad about anybody (except of course some of the referees who made bad calls against Syracuse).
The last time we all got together was in late June, right before we came east to camp for the summer. Scott and Caitlin hosted a BBQ dinner for us and the Syracuse group. He was proud to show off his dog Willie, the new fence, BBQ grill, gas fire pit, and hot tub! Terry Price and I had brought our bathing suits and we couldn’t resist jumping in. We had a wonderful spa experience.
Simply put, Scott Barker was one-of-a-kind. Professionally, his impact to the University of Washington, Syracuse and other schools, and the information field cannot be overstated. Personally, he will always be with us. We are far better people because of Scott. We will never forget and always be sharing our memories of him. Thank you, Scott, for enriching all our lives.