DANVERS — State Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry, D-Peabody, this week joined the rolls of distinguished public servants with large public buildings named after them.

The three-story main building at North Shore Community College's Danvers campus will soon bear the veteran Peabody legislator's name. On Tuesday, the Board of Higher Education approved the request.

"It's very humbling, frankly," Berry said yesterday. "I've always been a big supporter of the community college system, and I believe in public higher education."

The building opened in 2003 at a cost of $24 million and serves as the classroom space for some 3,500 students, and thousands more who attend continuing education courses.

Berry lobbied for construction money and ultimately helped cobble together a financing package that made it possible — one that's now being copied by other community colleges across the state.

But the building's new name is not simply due to Berry's lobbying efforts or his stature as the state Senate's majority leader, said North Shore Community College President Wayne Burton.

Berry, 55, earned the honor by the example he's set, Burton said.

During his 23 years in the state Senate, Berry has been a stalwart supporter of public education and a tireless advocate for the physically and mentally disabled, Burton said.

"He embodies the spirit of public service we would like to instill in our students," Burton said. "This is for us, as much as it is for him. It's the same reason we have a Lincoln statue in Washington. When people look at that, they will think of public service."

Berry has long been admired for his ability to be an effective politician despite the disabling effects of cerebral palsy. His speech is slurred, but Berry has never shied away from public speaking — he recently gave the commencement address at Boston University. Berry's balance is thrown by his condition, but he has still managed to navigate the halls of power in Boston.

Still, Burton was reluctant to speak of Berry's disability. And Berry has worked hard not to be defined by the condition.

"Because he doesn't bring attention to his disability, I don't think of him that way," Burton said. "I think that's his great strength."

A dedication ceremony is planned for September, to coincide with North Shore Community College's 40th anniversary.

Berry at a glance

1949 — Born to Phil and Helen Berry. Doctors said the boy would never walk or talk.

1972 — Graduates from Bishop Fenwick High School.

1968 — Graduates from Boston College with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

1972 — Joins Volunteers in Service to America (precursor to Americorps) and works in a public assistance agency in rural Texas for two years.

1974 — Receives a master's degree in education from Antioch College. Same year he begins a job as director of a Peabody-based work center for people with mental retardation, a job he keeps until 1983.

1979 — Elected to first of two terms on the Peabody City Council. Leaves this office in 1983.

1982 — Elected to Massachusetts State Senate, a post he still holds.