Thomas Jefferson Award

The Macalester College Thomas Jefferson Award was endowed in 1961 by the Robert Earll McConnell Foundation to recognize those “who have exemplified in character, work, and influence the principles and ideals of Thomas Jefferson.” Acknowledging the moral inconsistencies of his life, we recognize Jefferson’s strong belief in the power of human reason and his influence as an advocate of higher education. The principles and ideals of Jefferson the educator are what candidates for the Jefferson Award should exemplify through their teaching, writing, and scholarship, in leadership, and in commitment and service to the college. These contributions should be above and beyond the usual requirements for tenure and achievement in one’s discipline or profession.

Macalester College Thomas Jefferson Award Recipients

2024 Joan Ostrove (Psychology)

2023 Satoko Suzuki (Asian Languages and Culture)

2022 Bill Moseley (Geography)

2021 Duchess Harris (American Studies)

2020 Tom Halverson (Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science)

2019 Jayne Niemi (Registrar)

2018 Galo González (Spanish and Portuguese)

2017 Jim Laine (Religious Studies)

2016 Tom Varberg (Chemistry)

2015 Laurie Hamre (VP for Student Affairs)

2014 Lin Aanonsen (Biology)

2013 Ruthann Godollei (Art and Art History)

2012 J. Andrew Overman (Classics)

2011 Dan Hornbach (Biology/Environmental Studies)

2010 Ruthanne Kurth-Schai (Education)

2009 Jaine Strauss (Psychology)

2008 Jack Weatherford (Anthropology)

2007 Jan Serie (Biology)

2006 Martin Gunderson (Philosophy)

2005 David Bressoud (Mathematics)

2004 Mark Davis (Biology)

2003 Carleton Macy (Music)

2002 Vasant Sukhatme (Economics)

2001 Diane Glancy (English)

2000 Karl Egge (Economics)

1999 Jerry J. Rudquist (Art)

1998 Kathleen Parson (Chemistry/Biology)

1997 J. Michael Keenan (English)

1996 David A. Lanegran (Geography)

1995 Roger K. Mosvick (Communication)

1994 Emily S. Rosenberg (History)

1993 Wayne Wolsey (Chemistry)

1992 Karl C. Sandberg (French)

1991 Calvin J. Roetzel (Religious Studies)

1990 Jack E. Rossmann (Psychology)

1989 John R. Schue (Mathematics)

1988 Henry R. West (Philosophy)

1987 Virginia Schubert (French)

1986 A. Truman Schwartz (Chemistry)

1985 A. Wayne Roberts (Mathematics)

1984 Jean K. Archibold (Library)

1983 Emil J. Slowinski (Chemistry)

1982 Ernest Sandeen (History)

1981 Charles R. Green (Political Science)

1980 Patrick L. Kane (English)

1979 Mary M. Hill (Development)

1978 David H. Hopper (Religious Studies)

1977 Fred B. Stocker (Chemistry)

1976 Dorothy M. Grimmell (Registrar)

1975 Donald Betts (Music)

1974 Walter D. Mink (Psychology)

1973 Margaret L. Day (Development)

1972 Roger Blakely (English)

1971 David B. White (Philosophy)

1970 Hildegard Binder Johnson (Geography)

1969 Charles Murray Braden (Mathematics)

1968 Thomas E. Hill (Philosophy)

1967 Mary Gwen Owen (Speech/Theater)

1966 Yahya Armajani (History)

1965 Kenneth L. Holmes (History)

1964 G. Theodore Mitau (Political Science)

1963 Hugo W. Thompson (Philosophy)

1962 J. Huntley Dupre (History)