May 9, 2003

University pays tribute to Dux Academicus recipients

by Pamela Kauveiyakul, A'05, Intern in the Office of Public Affairs and Publications

Associate Professor of Law Raphael J. Rabalais, Jr., J.D., 1981 Dux Academicus recipient, stands in front of the award.

Professors are an inspiration to students and colleagues. Regardless of their fields, they provide the foundations by which students learn and begin to understand the world. Their ability to motivate students with their teaching and enthusiasm are rare and powerful gifts that are always appreciated. A good teacher is hard to find and keep, and Loyola is fortunate to have a vast well of dedicated and concerned teaching professionals.

To demonstrate its esteem, Loyola has recognized professors for the past 25 years by choosing one every year to receive the Dux Academicus award, the highest honor a professor can receive for excellence in teaching and scholarship. Recipients demonstrate an ability to impart knowledge and wisdom of the humanities, sciences, or the professions to students in a manner consistent with the unique philosophy of Loyola as a Jesuit institution of academic excellence. To honor all Dux Academics recipients, a plaque and portraits of recipients have been installed on the third floor of the Monroe Library in the new Dux Academicus Corner outside the stairwell.

Jasjit Walia, Ph.D., a 36-year veteran and professor of chemistry, said, "What I see invariably is that every student is decorated with an invisible sign hanging from his or her neck saying, 'Make me learn. Make me feel important. Help me grow intellectually, mentally, spiritually, and socially.'" Walia offered these illuminating words last fall when he was the first recipient of the University Faculty Senate Teaching Award. He was the recipient of the Dux Academicus in 1982.

Current students, colleagues, and former students nominate the professors for the Dux Academicus and a broad-based committee selects the winners. Professors receive a small bronze statue of a book, which the recipient keeps until a new recipient is honored, and a large framed picture of the bronze book, which is for the recipient to keep.

The awards are presented every January during the president's convocation. The first award was given to Joseph H. Fichter, S.J., Ph.D., a professor of sociology, in 1978. The 2003 recipient is Barbara C. Ewell, Ph.D., English professor in City College for 18 years.

Walia says he believes it is a wonderful award, especially because there are many people on campus who deserve it. He says because students are involved in the award process, he feels he has done his job. "I felt extremely humbled. I felt very thankful to God," he continues, "To me, students are very important, and I think we should give them the very best we can."

Ray Rabalais, professor of law, received the award in 1981. He is the only law professor who has been awarded the Dux Academicus. The framed picture of the award hangs on his wall in his office. "I think it's a great honor and very much an encouragement," Rabalais shares. "I feel very honored and privileged."

The Rev. Gerald Fagin, S.J., an associate professor in the Institute for Ministry, received the award in January 1987. Fagin says the award really honors all of the faculty for their commitment and recognizes their hard work, and the faculty member chosen for the award exemplifies those qualities. He says the award is an encouragement, but it's more of a sense of satisfaction of the work he has done and the people he has reached. "It's a wonderful affirmation of your teaching and scholarship."

Dux Academicus recipients have been invited to the Board of Trustees dinner May 15 to recognize them for academic excellence and celebrate the new Dux Academicus corner.

The complete list of recipients is as follows: Joseph H. Fichter, S.J., Ph.D., professor of sociology, 1978; Clement J. McNaspy, S.J., University Professor, 1979; Stanislaw J. Makielski, Jr., Ph.D., professor of political science, 1980; Raphael J. Rabalais, Jr., J.D., associate professor of law, 1981; Jasjit S. Walia, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, 1982; James J. Pillar, O.M.I., Ph.D., professor of history, 1983; Anthony Waters, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, 1984 posthumously; Mary Grace Swift, O.S.U., Ph.D., professor of history, 1985; Antonio M. Lopez, Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, 1986; Gerald M. Fagin, S.J., Ph.D., associate professor of religious studies, 1987; Henry A. Garon, M.S., associate professor of physics; 1988; and James W. Gaffney, S.T.D., professor of religious studies, 1989.

The list continues with William T. Cotton, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, 1990; Dorothy H. Brown, Ph.D., professor of English in City College, 1991; William Barnett, Ph.D., J.D., associate professor of economics, 1992; Patrick L. Bourgeois, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, 1993; Nancy F. Anderson, Ph.D., associate professor of history, 1994; Julian N. Wasserman, Ph.D., professor of English, 1995; Philip Frohnmayer, M.M., professor of music, 1996; Lydia Voigt, Ph.D., professor of sociology, 1997; John Biguenet, M.F.A., professor of English, 1998; and Stephen Duffy, S.T.D., professor of religious studies, 1999.

The most recent recipients are Bernard A. Cook, Ph.D., professor of history, 2000; Gary B. Herbert, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, 2001; Katherine H. Adams, Ph.D., professor of English, 2002; and Barbara C. Ewell, Ph.D., professor of English in City College, 2003.