Barker Honored As Distinguished Alumnus Of Schreiner University

Schreiner University in Kerrville has bestowed two honors upon David Barker '66, naming him a Distinguished Alumnus of Schreiner as well as inducting him into the Athletic Hall of Honor.

"I am very humbled and grateful," Barker said. "I was enrolled there in 1962 which was then called Schreiner Institute.  A two-year junior college with an outstanding program in math, science and engineering.  The small college later became a four-year college offering a wide variety of degrees.

"I was on a track scholarship at Schreiner and competed fairly well until a hamstring pull sidelined me my sophomore year.  I transferred to TAMU in 1964 and completed my two degrees one being in mechanical engineering (Class of 1966) and the 2nd was a MS in nuclear engineering in 1968.

"I tried to run at TAMU when I transferred there in 1964 but the nagging hamstring pull just never rehabbed properly."

The full announcement from Schreiner follows:  

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David G. Barker considers the planning and construction of the South Texas Nuclear Project near Bay City his top professional achievement. “Today it is still the best-designed and best-run nuclear power plant in the world,” says Barker, who graduated from Schreiner Institute with an associate’s degree in engineering in 1964. “Ironically, you don’t hear about it because those qualities keep it out of the news.”

Barker was recruited by Houston Lighting and Power to write the specification for the nuclear power plant when he was 28. Over a dozen years—including the aftermath of the Three-Mile Island incident in Pennsylvania—he supervised its construction, which was ahead of schedule and under budget when he passed it on to another manager in 1985.

His first job after earning a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M was also notable. Todd Shipyards in Galveston hired him to provide shore-based support for the N.S. Savannah, the nation’s first nuclear-powered commercial vessel. While working for Todd, he oversaw the nation’s first refueling of a commercial maritime operating nuclear-powered reactor.
Barker has transitioned during his impressive career from nuclear power to the oil and gas industry. He now directs aftermarket services for Drill-Quip Inc., which manufactures offshore drilling and production equipment for use worldwide.

His path to Schreiner started in summer 1962. He was working on a Mississippi River tow boat after graduating from LaMarque High School, and had accepted a track scholarship from the University of Texas. Then he received a letter from Schreiner track coach S. M. Meeks offering a better scholarship. At the time, Schreiner had a major in engineering, so he accepted.

On the cinders, Barker’s times in the 880-yard dash, cross country two miles, and mile relay are still Schreiner records. He especially remembers competing against “the big boys,” the Southwest Conference schools, at the Border Olympics in spring 1963 and bringing back a medal for a record-breaking win in the 880.

He set most of his top marks as a freshman. A hamstring injury—preventable with modern training today—slowed him during his sophomore year and ended his track career after he entered Texas A&M.

Barker also excelled in the classroom, winning honors for Schreiner athlete with the best grade point average. Engineering was a difficult major and there was much attrition in his class. Of 35 engineering students his freshman year, only four continued the major into the sophomore year.

It helped that Dr. Harry W. Crate, his instructor for engineering and mathematics, “was especially gifted, guiding and instructional,” says Barker. “He was a truly amazing man of great intellect and integrity.”

In 2014, Texas A&M’s Dwight College of Engineering, Department of Nuclear Engineering, named Barker a Distinguished Former Student, and in 1999 he was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Graduates for the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

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