Ohio University honored Tom Carpenter, 53rd recipient of OU’s Distinguished Professor award, the university’s highest distinction for faculty members at an event Monday night.
Carpenter joined the Department of Classics and World Religions at OU in 1997, specializing in ancient Greek religion and iconography.
He was named a Distinguished Professor in 2013.
Carpenter is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University and Oxford University. He has published eight books, including Art and Myth in Ancient Greece which has been translated into six languages — and more than 20 articles.
With the lifetime OU title of “Distinguished Professor,” Carpenter will annually name an undergraduate student to receive a year’s full-tuition scholarship and one semester of paid, research leave.
Carpenter made $68,756 for the 2013-14 academic year.
The Distinguished Professor Award was established in 1958 by Edwin and Ruth Kennedy to recognize exceptional research and scholarly achievements both in and out of the classroom.
“Tom will certainly continue the Kennedys’ vision of Ohio University and reward,” said OU President Roderick McDavis at the start of the event.
There were about 50 in attendance at the event in Alden Library, including Board of Trustees Chairwoman Sandra Anderson and Vice Chair David Brightbill.
McDavis unveiled Carpenter’s portrait, which will be displayed in the Distinguished Professor Gallery on the third floor of Alden.
“I’m very impressed with Tom’s commitment to teaching and with his very important credentials, I put him at number one (professor),” said John Kopchick, OU’s 52nd Distinguished Professor — who teaches in the Biomedical Sciences department.
Carpenter lectured on the “Greek Tragedy Amongst the ‘Barbarians’ in 4th Century B.C. Italy.” Carpenter felt it was an interesting argument with many hidden preconceptions.
“It’s what I do, so it made sense and to be chosen as a Distinguished Professor is a hugely humble experience,” Carpenter said.
Essam Mikail, a part time student studying geography, enjoyed that he could relate Carpenter’s Greek lecture to Egypt, where he is from.
“Carpenter’s lecture was superb. It was above my head, but his knowledge and precision was incredible,” Mikail said.
The lecture was recorded and can be viewed on Alden’s website.
“Carpenter is an amazing speaker and great scholar,” Seaman said. “He did a wonderful and fascinating job.”
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