Richard L. Rubenstein, UB’s President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Religion, was among former outstanding faculty honored at Florida State University recently.
The occasion was the unveiling and dedication of an obelisk recognizing the outstanding scientists and scholars in the university’s history. It was followed by an elegant banquet hosted by the university’s president, T.K. Wetherell.
The scientists and scholars are known as the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor, named for a former professor of English who gave academic leadership to the university as dean of Arts and Sciences and then vice president for Academic Affairs.
Each year the university selects its outstanding professor. Dr. Rubenstein was named in 1977-78. Of all the faculty so honored, he is the only one in the history of FSU from religious studies. Most honorees are from science or mathematics.
The award was particularly memorable for Rubenstein as it was announced at graduation during the very ceremony his son, Jeremy, received his bachelor’s degree.
The Lawton professors are nominated by their departments and then go through a vetting process that includes involvement by faculty and other Lawton professors before the president makes his choice.
The professorship carries with it a stipend, travel and research funds and title, all of which remain with the honoree through their FSU career.
The obelisk is located in a prominent spot in front of Strozier Library, the university’s main library building, on Landis Green, the university commons. |
