With the recent passing of Dr. Don C. Locke, the counseling profession and CSI lost one of our greatest advocates, educators, scholars, and mentors.

He was a powerful and courageous voice at critical times for social justice and equality and his trademark humor, energy, and thoughtfulness were contagious. He was instrumental in fighting for the approval of the multicultural counseling competencies and advancing the literature of multiculturalism through his scholarship.

His legacy of positive change was further defined by his passion for mentoring students to become advocates and to serve the counseling profession. Generations of counselors and counselor educators will continue to be impacted from his guidance and example. The following statement by UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary Grant exemplifies Dr. Locke’s immense impact: "He truly believed that education was the greatest tool that we have for making a difference in the lives of students in our communities,” Grant said. "I think his greatest contribution is he changed people's lives. He made sure we had honest conversations around hard issues particularly race and culture and class.”

As an implementer of positive change, his gifts to the counseling profession and to his community are immeasurable and we are all better because of him. Thank you Don, you will be greatly missed.

- Dr. Catharina Chang, CSI President, 2009-2010

A Tribute In Memory of Dr. Don C. Locke
by Dr. Tom Sweeney

I have been pondering words to share about the life and influence of my friend, Don C. Locke.  Eloquence in this endeavor is already apparent by those who preceded me in tribute. I must admit too that a part of my delay has been in the realization and impact of losing in such a short time not only one but several others dear to me (Myers, Herr and Cooper).  All also were past presidents of several organizations including CSI.

In addition, Locke, Myers, and Herr were the authors of the Handbook of Counseling. In typical fashion for them, they donated all of their royalties for this outstanding text to the mission and membership of CSI.  It is still a relevant text for many purposes today because of how they designed it.

Such generosity was a trademark of Don C.  I think it may be a little known fact that Don was a very successful contestant on the television game show, Wheel of Fortune.  I have never been much into game shows but apparently Don enjoyed such a challenge and he won thousands of dollars.  He donated all of it to charity.

After the death of my wife, Jane Myers, Don would call to see how I was doing. Jane had asked him to do so.  They were never long calls but just checking in, a faithful friend doing his duty with warmth and sincere intentions.  I miss them now.

As past presidents of SACES and CSI, I will miss Don’s enthusiastic "Hello!” at conferences, his totally engulfing hug preceded by his out stretched arms and big smile. Yes, indeed, SACES and other conferences will never be quite the same for me or for many more among his army of friends and admirers.

Obituary for Dr. Don C. Locke
Published by Hart Funeral Service, Asheville, NC

Dr. Don C. Locke died after a brief illness on June 8, 2016 with his wife and two daughters by his side in Asheville, NC.

Dr. Locke was the only child of Willie R. and Carlene (Lovely) Locke and was born in Macon, Mississippi on April 30, 1943. He graduated from Ira Gentry High School in Indianola, Mississippi, received a B.S. Degree in history and M. Ed. Degree in History Education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee and his doctorate degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

After marrying his beloved wife Marjorie on June 27, 1964, Don taught social studies and worked as a school counselor in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Upon completion of his doctorate, he began his career in higher education teaching U.S. military personnel in England and Germany. He and his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1975 when he became a professor of Counselor Education at North Carolina State University.

Dr. Locke had a very successful career teaching as a tenured professor at North Carolina State University and leveraged this success to become Head of the Department of Counselor Education from 1987 to 1993 and ended his career in higher education as the Director of the North Carolina State University doctoral program in adult education at The Asheville Graduate Center.

Dr. Locke was an active member of the Buncombe County community up until his death. He was most passionate about his work mentoring and guiding promising young people to reach their fullepotential. He received a number of professional awards during his career including the Ella Stephens Barrett Leadership Award from the North Carolina Counseling Association, the Professional Development Award from the American Counseling Association and was named to the Academy of Leaders for Excellence by Chi Sigma Iota, International.

Dr. Locke was named Alumni Distinguished Professor at NC State University in 2003. He was the author of several textbooks and more than 120 articles which focused primarily on multicultural issues in education and counseling.

Dr. Locke was active in a number of community organizations both in Raleigh and Buncombe County including, Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council, YMI Board of Directors, United Way of Asheville, ABCCM Veterans Shelter, A-B Tech Board of Trustees, Center for Diversity Education, Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board and Pisgah Legal Services Board of Directors.

On June 1, 2016, Dr. Locke received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award and on June 6, 2016 Asheville Buncombe County Community College renamed the library on campus in honor of Dr. Locke. He was deeply moved by these honors.

Dr. Locke, along with his wife, Marjorie, was a world traveler and enjoyed sharing his experiences with others. He will be remembered by family and friends as an energetic, inspiring and generous man. His spirit lives on in the memories of the many lives he touched.

Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Marjorie, and his two daughters, Tonya of Durham, North Carolina and Regina of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m at Hart Funeral Service Chapel, 60 Phifer Street, Asheville, NC. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 51 Wilburn Place, Asheville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Locke Scholarship at A-B Technical Community College, The Locke Scholarship at UNC Asheville or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School.

If you would like to make a donation to CSI in memory of Dr. Locke you can contribute to CSI’s General Fund.

Originally published at csi-net.org on June 17, 2016.