Trinity Remembers Sarah Predock Burke Lupinski

Sarah Predock Burke Lupinski, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of modern languages and literatures, died on June 12. She was 81. 

Burke Lupinski taught Russian language, literature, culture, and art history for more than 45 years, 38 of which were at Trinity University. 

Burke Lupinski graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and English. She was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa, and from 1962-65, she was an NDEA Title VI Fellow. In 1966, Burke Lupinski received a Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellowship, and that same year she earned her Ph.D. in Russian literature and linguistics from UT Austin. 

After short stints at other universities, Burke Lupinski arrived at Trinity University in 1973 to join the Department of Modern Languages, where she taught Russian language, literature, art, and culture. Her main interests were literature and art of the Silver Age of Russian culture (from the late 19th century to the purges of the 1930s). Her interests also included Russian folk art and so-called non-conformist art of the ’60s and ’70s, which she helped promote through numerous exhibits, lectures, and publications. She served for many years as a co-director of the Institute of Modern Russian Culture.

While at Trinity, Burke Lupinski received an NEA Fellow grant to participate in a Modern Art and Tradition Seminar at Columbia University for the 1977–78 academic year. In 2008, she received the Trinity University Outstanding University and Community Service Award. Burke Lupinski was also a long-time enthusiastic supporter of Trinity Soccer and sponsor of the Russian club until her retirement. Outside of Trinity, she was a member of the Fiber Arts Association of San Antonio.

Burke Lupinski volunteered for the PTA at her son’s school, including lecturing to seniors about what to expect in college. She served on the Castle Hills Architectural Review Board and volunteered for San Antonio Meals on Wheels. Lupinski Burke also co-founded a chapter of SHARE in San Antonio, which is a support group for families whose child died in childbirth or miscarriage. She would translate diplomas and other documents gratis for Russian immigrants.

Burke Lupinski is survived by her husband, Stephen; son, Andrew; daughter-in-law, Jade; grandson, Zane; and brother, Antoine, as well as numerous brothers and sisters in law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

The family asks that those wishing to memorialize Burke Lupinski donate to the American Cancer Society.