Honors continue to accrue to Dan Marburger, the longtime Perry High School principal who died in January after placing himself in harm’s way in trying to protect students from an active shooter.
Marburger was honored Friday night as a Character Champion during the Iowa Character Awards, a program of the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, held at the Prairie Meadows Events Center in Altoona.
Marburger was one of 12 Iowa individuals and groups recognized for their exceptional character, including Marta Codina, Jean Berger, Katie Hoover, the Iowa League of Heroes and the Dallas Center-Grimes Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The Ray Center issued the following statement about Marburger as a Character Champion:
Dan Marburger became the associate principal at Perry High School in 1995. In 1997 he was awarded the role of principal where he served proudly for 27 years. Dan impacted the lives of thousands of students and staff members, ensuring each became a knowledgeable, skilled and productive citizen of character. During his time at Perry High School, Dan developed numerous initiatives, including “High Schools that Work,” Project CRISS (Creating Independence through Student Owned Strategies), Data-Driven Leadership, Outcomes-Based Education and Forty Developmental Assets. Dan worked with high school guidance counselors to ensure that all students had rigorous curriculum to meet their needs in high school and beyond, and he expanded college credit courses at DMACC Perry VanKirk Career Academy. He worked to develop a school resource officer program, an alternative school program, an at-risk program and a Mentors of Violence Prevention (MVP) student leadership program at Perry High School. Dan believed all students deserve access to high-quality education and supported each student who walked through his halls. He felt that everyone had value and purpose. Dan saved numerous lives during an active shooter event on Jan. 4, 2024, at Perry High School. His selflessness that day is perhaps the biggest example of Dan’s character and his love for his students and the Perry community.
Marburger will also be honored Friday, Nov. 29 at the Heroes Game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, the university announced Thursday.
“We had an outpouring of individuals reach out to the University of Iowa after that tragic moment, suggesting Principal Marburger be our next Hero,” Iowa Athletics Director Beth Goetz said. “We felt strongly that this would be a positive way to honor him and the Perry community.”
Instead of waiting for Iowa fans to nominate an annual hero, Marburger was selected to be this year’s Heroes Game honoree, Goetz said.
