THE GEORGE AND VIRGINIA HOFFMANN AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE The George and Virginia Hoffmann Award was established this year to recognize faculty members who best serve the University in the areas of instruction, scholarship, and service. The first recipient of the Hoffmann Award is Michael Reardon, professor of history. “He is a superb intellectual spark; he ignites others with the love of learning, and his own flame is burning brightly. ” In his 19 years at Portland State, Dr. Reardon has earned respect for his superb teaching and imaginative leadership of the University Scholars’ Program. Students and colleagues alike praise him for the style, enthusiasm, and scholarship of his lectures. “Reardon brought Western thought to life,” says one former student. “His lectures were like searchbeams, lighting up for an hour the most astonishing scenes.” Under Dr. Reardon the University Scholars’ Program has been singled out as an ideal for undergraduate education by the National Collegiate Honors Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The University and community have benefited greatly from the Visiting Scholars’ Lecture Series, through which Dr. Reardon has attracted to campus such luminaries as Hayden White, Robert Heilbroner, and Stephen Toulmin. Dr. Reardon, 44, has also served as head of the Department of History and has given generously of his time to community and professional organizations. He has served in many capacities with the National Endowment for the Humanities, Oregon Committee for the Humanities, National Honor Societies of Oregon, and Campus Christian Ministry. BRANFORD PRICE MILLAR AWARD FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE Named for the University’s second president, the Branford Price Millar Award was established in 1979 to recognize faculty members who demonstrate excellence in instruction, scholarship. University service, and public service. Tomas Svoboda, professor of music, is the recipient of the 1983 Millar Award. “As the ideal musician, pianist, teacher, and composer, Tom is a treasure and brings singular credit to the University and to the State. ” Prof. Svoboda has earned the applause of audiences for his compositions and the praise of students for his clear, concise teaching. His music, which ranges from solo compositions to full symphonies, has been heard throughout North America and Europe. A prolific composer. Prof. Svoboda has passed his 100th opus number. The respected Piano Quarterly said of him, “Ever since we got our first look at some of his music, we have been convinced of his marvelous talent.” Students praise Prof. Svoboda for his energy and enthusiasm. “His constant effort is to instill in his students a never-ending desire to discover the wonders of music, to be challenged rather than befuddled by the truly endless and intricate demands of musical knowledge,” a student observed. Prof. Svoboda, 43, came to the United States from Czechoslovakia in 1964. Since joining the Portland State faculty in 1970, he has served on several University committees and has worked closely with the Portland Philharmonic and The Composers Ensemble. Prof. Svoboda serves regularly as an adjudicator for student piano competitions and syllabus examinations. His commissioned compositions include Eugene Overture, Op. 103, composed for the opening of the Eugene Performing Arts Center. 5
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