Author Paula Gunn Allen, veterinary surgeon Barclay Slocum and banking corporation president and CEO George N. Fugelsang have one thing in common — they are all former Ducks.
And this Friday, two of these three will return to the University to receive the highest honor the College of Arts and Sciences presents: the Alumni Fellows Award.
“The prestigious Alumni Fellow award is given to UO arts and sciences alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions within medicine, science, the arts, industry, public service and academe,” said Joe Stone, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Candidates are nominated and selected by the College of Arts and Sciences advisory council, which is composed of members all across the United States, according to Rachel Hunsinger, the College of Arts and Sciences assistant director of development.
Allen is an award-winning poet and novelist and a former UCLA professor. In addition to being a University alumna, her list of accomplishments includes helping to establish the American Indian Literary Studies organization, collecting and interpreting Native American mythology and winning the American Book Award in 1990.
Due to health problems, Allen will be unable to attend the official ceremony, and her speech, hosted by the Walter and Nancy Kidd Tutorial Program in Creative Writing, has been canceled.
“We hope that she does reschedule,” Hunsinger said. “But the earliest would probably be next spring. It’s too bad that she can’t speak with the students.”
Fugelsang’s speech is hosted by both the Department of Economics and the economic peer advising group. Fugelsang will deliver his talk at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Room 227, Chiles Center.
The 1962 University graduate received his bachelor’s degree in political science and went on to receive a bachelor of foreign trade degree at the American Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix. He currently serves as general manager of Dresdener Bank AG.
His speech, titled “Change is not the Enemy: Some Thoughts About Career Management in 2000 and Beyond,” will be open to the public.”He is a great example of someone from the UO with a liberal arts background who has gone on in a corporate career,” said Bruce Blonigen, an associate economics professor and director of undergraduate studies for economics. “It is a good fit for us. We are excited about hosting it.”The third recipient, Barclay Slocum, received his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University in 1961 and followed with a master’s degree in education in 1966. Slocum practices veterinary orthopedics in Eugene and has made a number of contributions to veterinarian orthopedic research and education.
Due to scheduling conflicts, Slocum’s speech will be postponed until winter term.
In addition to the Alumni Fellows Award recipients, Friday’s banquet will also recognize Fredrick Dahlquist, a professor of chemistry, and Garrett Hongo, a professor of creative writing, as the College of Arts and Sciences 2000-2001 Distinguished Professors.