College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor
The College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor recognizes the A&S alumni, students, faculty, administrators, staff and other supporters who made the most significant and lasting contributions to the College, the University, the local community and the larger society since the establishment of the College in 1907.
A&S Announces 2009 Class of Inductees to A&S Hall of Honor
Dean Blaine Hudson announces the next four inductees to the College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor. At a formal induction ceremony to be held February 17, 2009 at the Speed Art Museum, these individuals will be inducted to the A&S Hall of Honor:
Inaugural Class of Hall of Honor Inducted in November 2007
On November 9, 2007 more than 200 A&S alumni, faculty, supporters, others in the University and A&S community gathered at the Brown Hotel to celebrate the A&S Centennial and to induct the inaugural class of the College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor.
"The Centennial Gala and Hall of Honor induction ceremony was, at times, simply magical," said A&S Dean J. Blaine Hudson, "The stature and achievements of our inductees -- internationally known authors, businessmen, athletes, philanthropists, broadcast journalists, politicians and folks who were the architects of A&S and the University -- were beyond impressive.
"Perhaps, how our inductees or their family members responded to being remembered and honored was more moving than anything else. Many were, quite literally, speechless as our huge crowd gave one standing ovation after another."
A&S Hall of Honor 2007 Inductees
Ernest E. Allen
A&S alumnus Ernie Allen, who graduated from UofL in 1968 with a B.A. in International Studies, is president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. His commitment to this worthy cause is lauded nationwide.
More: Ernie Allen, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Harriette Simpson Arnow (1908-1986)
A&S alumna Harriette Simpson Arnow received a B.S. degree from UofL in 1931 with a major in education. Arnow is well known for her best-seller The Dollmaker which established her as a major American author. The Dollmaker was runner up for the 1955 National Book Award, second to William Faulkner's A Fable.
More: Harriete Simpson Arnow, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Ulysses Bridgeman, Jr.
Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman received his B.A. degree in psychology from the University of Louisville in 1975. He was a star of the Cardinal Basketball team and played for more than a decade in the NBA. In 2002, Bridgeman was named Alumnus of the Year by the UofL Alumni Association. He is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, a businessman and a leader in the community.
More:Ulyssses "Junior" Bridgeman, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Rufus Clement (1900-1967)
In 1931, Louisville Municipal College (LMC) opened as a separate and segregated municipal college under the administration of the Board of Trustees of the University of Louisville. As LMC’s first dean, Dr. Rufus Clement helped build a solid foundation for the liberal arts college, which received full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1936.
More: Rufus Clement , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Thomas Crawford
Professor Emeritus Tom Crawford’s extensive connections with and contributions to the University of Louisville have spanned more than 40 years. He received his B.S. (1958) and Ph.D. (1961) degrees in chemistry from the University of Louisville. After graduation, Crawford joined the faculty at UofL, served as chair of the Chemistry Department, acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, acting university provost and associate university provost.
More: Thomas Crawford , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Robert Edwards
Bob Edwards, a 1969 UofL graduate, has ties to the College of Arts and Sciences. Many of the “night school” courses he completed for his bachelor’s degree were offered through A&S. He is an award-winning American Public Radio broadcaster who gained fame as the first host of National Public Radio’s flagship program, Morning Edition. Currently Edwards can be heard on The Bob Edwards Show on XM Satellite Radio and Bob Edwards Weekend from Public Radio International on select public radio stations.
More: Bob Edwards , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Charles Farnsley (1907-1990)
Charles Farnsley received his L.L.B. degree (1930) and B.A. degree (1943) in political science from UofL. Farnsley served as Louisville’s mayor from 1948 to 1953 and as a U.S. congressman from 1965 to 1967. During his tenure as mayor, he was recognized for his efforts to improve the quality of life in the city, his support of the arts, and his appreciation for the importance of the university to the community.
More:Charles Farnsley, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Sam Gilliam, Jr.
Sam Gilliam received both his B.A. in creative art (1955) and M.A. in fine arts (1961) from UofL. Acclaimed for his use of saturated color and his highly improvisational spontaneous technique, Gilliam is regarded as one of the most important and inventive colorists of the last 30 years. His works are in museums across the United States and the world including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
More: Sam Gilliam, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Sue Grafton
A 1961 graduate of UofL, Sue Grafton majored in English with minors in fine arts and humanities. A best selling author, Grafton is well known for her alphabetical series of mystery novels written from the perspective of a female private investigator. She has also written a number of screenplays for television movies. Her book, "T" is for Trespass, was published in December 2007.
More: Sue Grafton, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Betty and David Jones
A&S alumna Betty Ashbury Jones received a bachelor’s degree from UofL in 1955 and David Jones received a bachelor’s degree in business from UofL in 1954. Betty and David Jones have long-standing ties to the University of Louisville and the College of Arts and Sciences. David Jones served on the UofL Board of Trustees. Betty and David Jones’ support of liberal studies, scholarships and study abroad, as well as many other projects and initiatives, has greatly benefited the University, its students, and the community.
More: Betty and David Jones , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductees
Mitchell McConnell
Senator Mitch McConnell graduated in 1964 with honors from UofL with a major in political science. He served as county judge-executive in Jefferson County, Kentucky from 1978 until he was sworn in to the U.S. Senate in 1985. Senator McConnell has held leadership positions in the Senate including minority leader, majority whip, and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In 1991, the McConnell Center for Political Leadership was established at UofL by Senator McConnell and the university as an endowed center dedicated to providing a non-partisan, well-rounded education that encourages top undergraduates to become valued citizens and future leaders.
More: Mitch McConnell , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Marsha Norman
Acclaimed playwright Marsha Norman received her B.A. in English from UofL in 1971. Her first play, “Getting Out” (1977) was voted the best new play produced by a regional theater by the American Theatre Critics Association and appeared in a shortened version in The Best Plays of 1977-1978. Norman’s play, “ 'night, Mother” (1983), won the Pulitzer Prize and four Tony Award nominations. She continues to write and publish acclaimed work.
More: Marsha Norman, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Julius J. Oppenheimer (1890-1983)
Julius J. Oppenheimer served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for 27 years, from 1930 to 1957, and led the college during the challenging times of the 1937 flood and the war years. In addition to serving as dean, he served as head of the education department within A&S for 30 years from 1930 until 1960. The department later became a separate School of Education in 1968.
More: Julius J. Oppenheimer, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Charles H. Parrish, Jr. (1899-1989)
Charles Henry Parrish, Jr. was an educator and sociologist who was also known for his participation in the civil rights movement and community work. In 1951 Louisville Municipal College (LMC), a separate and segregated municipal college under the administration of UofL’s Board of Trustees, was absorbed into UofL’s College of Arts and Sciences. Parrish was the only tenured black faculty member retained from LMC. Thus he became the first black faculty member at UofL. He was appointed chair of the Department of Sociology in 1959.
More: Charles Parrish, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
John. L. Patterson (1861-1937)
Called “the greatest friend the university ever had,” John Letcher Patterson served as the College of Arts and Sciences’ second dean from 1908 to 1922. He established the college’s first library, organized the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and added courses in economics, art and sociology. In 1922, Patterson was made chancellor of the university and, in that role, he continued efforts to enhance graduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
More: John L. Patterson, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau (1926-1990)
A&S alumna Dr. Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau, who earned her M.A. in history from UofL in the late 1950s, was a noted constitutional historian, professor of history, feminist, and civil rights activist. She taught at UofL from 1958 until her retirement in 1990, and during her career she served as the first woman to chair the history department, the first woman to chair the Faculty Senate and the first female university ombudsman. Tachau is recognized as one of the pioneers of women's studies at UofL. She also served as historical advisor to the United States Senate Watergate Committee and worked with the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution.
More:Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Hilda Threlkeld (1890-1966)
Dr. Hilda Threlkeld was dean of women at UofL for more than 20 years beginning in the early 1930s. She served in that position through the challenges of the 1937 flood and the war years. "Dean T," as she was called, was fondly regarded by students despite her reputation for establishing strict rules for behavior on campus. She also served as president of the National Association of Deans of Women.
More: Dr. Hilda Threlkeld, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Johnny Unitas (1933-2002)
Johnny Unitas, one of UofL’s best-known graduates, completed his B.S. degree in 1955 in physical education, which was offered through the College of Arts and Sciences at that time. He passed for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns for the Cards from 1951 to 19¬54 and then went on to a stellar career in the NFL. Unitas is widely regarded as one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time and was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
More: Johnny Unitas , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Westley Unseld
Wes Unseld graduated in 1968 with a B.S. in history and health/physical education. While at UofL, Unseld earned consensus All-American honors for two years and led the Louisville Cardinals to two trips to the NCAA tournament and one to the NIT. Unseld had a stellar NBA career. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988 and, in 1996, he was honored as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players. He was named vice president of the Bullets in 1981 and served as head coach from 1987 to 1994.
More: Wes Unseld, Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Polly Wood
Pollyanna Bealmear Wood graduated with honors from UofL in 1950 with a B.A. in English. She served the College of Arts and Sciences for 40 years in a variety of roles including educational advisor, assistant to the dean, assistant dean, and associate dean. She retired as associate dean for curriculum and scheduling emerita in 1987.
More: Polly Wood , Arts and Sciences Hall of Honor Inductee
Hall of Honor Inductee Plaques installed September 2008
In September 2008, the college mounted a collection of plaques honoring inductees of the A&S Hall of Honor. The plaques are on display in a central campus location, in the central breezeway of the Life Sciences Building, where hundreds of students pass each day. Each plaque recognizes the individual achievements of our Hall of Honor inductees.
*Click to enlarge image, opens in a new window
Photos of inductee plaques and biographical information can be found on the individual inductee webpages below:
A&S Hall of Honor Inductee Plaques, bios and photos
- Ernest Allen
- Harriette Simpson Arnow
- Junior Bridgeman
- Rufus Clement
- Thomas Crawford
- Bob Edwards
- Charles Farnsley
- Sam Gilliam Jr.
- Sue Grafton
- Betty and David Jones
- Mitch McConnell
- Marsha Norman
- J. J. Oppenheimer
- Charles Parrish Jr.
- John Patterson
- Mary Tachau
- Hilda Threlkeld
- Johnny Unitas
- Wes Unseld
- Polly Wood