Human Studies Division honors professors from the past

Alfred University’s Division of Human Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, last week honored seven former faculty members whose portraits now hang on an interior wall of Kanakadea Hall.

In paying his respects to the seven –Gary Horowitz, Stuart Campbell, the late Vicki Eaklor, and Gary Ostrower, professors of History; John Gilmour and the late Bill Dibrell, professors of Philosophy; and Tom Peterson, professor of Religious Studies and Art Theory ­– Human Studies Chairperson Emrys Westacott called them “the people who have been at the heart of the Division of Human Studies for much of the past half century.”

Peterson, Gilmour and Ostrower attended the event, during which the black-and-white photographic portraits were unveiled by seven other current and retired Alfred University professors. Horowitz was able to participate in and watch the event via Zoom. Alfred University faculty and administrators, including President Mark Zupan and Provost Beth Ann Dobie, also attended the ceremony and spoke of the accomplishments and legacy of the seven faculty members.

Westacott, who serves as professor of Philosophy in the Division, noted each of the seven faculty members had worked at Alfred University for more than 30 years. Together, Westacott added, their combined service totaled 258 years. Altogether, Westacott said, that service created the Division’s “distinctive character and established its reputation for excellence in teaching scholarship, and student accomplishments.”