Millar and Hoffmann awards go to Nunn, Newhall Newhall's teaching, service commended David H. Newhall PSU's first philosophy professor is the 1986 r ~ j p j e n l of the George and Virginia Hoffmann Award for Excellence. David H. Newhall recalls coming to Portland State in 1955 when "the library had about 22 inches worth of philosophy books and three were the same book." During his 30 years with the University, 14 of them as head of the philosophy department, Newhall has distinguished himself as an effective and enthusiastic teacher as well as a service-orienled member of the faculty and community. A graduate of Pomona College and UCLA. with a Ph.D. (rom Princeton. Newhall spent his earJy reaching years at Smith College .and at Last rite of spring PSU faculty, administrators and students saluted President Joseph c. Blumel as he presided over his last spring commencement June 13. Blumel, IVho has served as PSU's fourth president since 1974, is leaving the post Sept. 15 and lVill return to the faculty in 1987. Blumel came to PSU in 7957 as an instructor in economics, later serving as dean of undergraduate studies, associate dean 01 faculties and vice president lor academic affairs belore becoming preSident-the lirst at PSU to have risen "through the ranks." Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. Just before coming to Portland State, Newhall won a Ford Faculty Fellowship 10 study at Harvard for a year. His chosen topics of study were evolution and Gandhi. Since then, Newhall has written and lectured extensively on the life and tholight of Gandhi, an interest that grew oul of his lifelong commitment to peace and non-violence. A busy public lecturer, Newhall is also an active volunteer in the community. Newhall has served Ihe University in a variety of ways, including several terms on Faculty Senate and membership on campus-wide committees. But it is Newhall's teaChing thai won him the most praise from colleagues and former students who endorsed his nominallon (or the Hoffmann Award. Ne\"VhaH's students, a number of whom are now teaching philosophy, cited his sincere Interest in their work and respect for their ideas, as well as enthusiasm for his subjecl. Newhall was named a Danforth Associate in the '60s to encourage his habit of gening together informaJly wilh students. Staying fresh as a teacher has been no problem for Newhall. "A course, even if it has the same number, is never the same because the students' interests shifl over the years," he say,s, "At first it was the t r a r d ~ n o ~ vets of ~ : ! ~ : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i k ' i J ~ ~ [ g h t ~ ~ t ' ~ ~ e r , Presbyterian church school who wanted to hear that everything was rosy. If you stay sensitive to (these changes), going into the classroom is always exciting." The Hoffmann Award is named for long-time PSU faculty member and emeritus dean of social science George Hoffmann and his wife Virginia. It is presented annuaUy to a faculty member who has given distinguished service to the University "in a spirit of humanism, civility, collegiality, dedication to students, and loyalty to PSU." Nunn's scholarship spans continents Frederick M. Nunn, History, is known throughout the world (or his scholarship in Latin American history, particularly m i l i t a r y ~ c i \ l i l i a n relations. Now Nunn has been recognized by his PSU colleagues with the 1986 Branford Price Millar Award for Faculty Excellence. As the University's first Guggenheim Fellow, Nunn has just completed a y e a r ~ l o n g sabbatical doing research in South America, Europe and Washington, D.C. to expand on his most recent book, Yesterday's Soldiers: Europe Mil;tary Professionalism in South A m e r i c a ~ 189D-1940. Praised by scholars as one of the ten best and most important books written On latin America, Yesterday's Soldiers received the Hubert Herring Book Award from the Pacific Coast Council on latin American Studies. Nunn came to Portland Stale in 1965 as assistant professor of history. Now iJ full professor, Nunn also serves as Associate Dean of the College of L i ~ r a l Arts and Sciences. Over the pasl 20 years, he has received a number of research and travel grants and has been a fellow at the Institute of Latin American Studies, the University of London, the Social Science Research Council and the American Philosophical Society. Nunn is a graduate of the University of Oregon, with an M.A. and Ph. D. from the University of New Mexico. Nunn's publications include three books, three monographs and dozens of articles and essays. He has served on editorial boards and committC(?s for many historical and SCholarly organizations. In nominating Nunn for the Millar Award, a colleague from Notre Dame said. "Any university in the country would be privileged to have Fred Nunn on its faculty." Former students also endorsed Nunn's nomination with high regard for his teaching. The Millar Award is named for PSU's second president and is presetlted annually to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in i n s t r u c t i o n ~ scholarship, University service and public service. PSU Perspective, Summer 1986 / t»ge 17
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