Cording Named Professor Emeritus
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Richard A. Cording |
Richard A. Cording, former dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences and recipient of Sam Houston State University's Excellence
in Teaching Award, has been named professor emeritus of philosophy.
Cording, who has taught at Sam Houston State since 1970,
will be honored at a reception from 3:30-5 p.m. May 6 in Austin
Hall. He will be presented the following resolution, signed
by James F. Gaertner, SHSU president , and David E. Payne,
provost and vice president for academic affairs
RESOLUTION
Whereas, Dr. Richard A. Cording earned the
Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill in 1960 and the Master of Arts and Doctor of
Philosophy degrees from the University of Missouri in 1964
and 1969 respectively; and
Whereas, Dr. Cording’s dedicated career
in education has included teaching at the University of Missouri-Columbia,
Northeast Louisiana State University, Bradley University,
Stratford College, and Sam Houston State University, since
1970, when he joined the faculty as Professor and Chair of
the Department of Philosophy; and
Whereas, Dr. Cording, Professor of Philosophy
at Sam Houston State University, has earned distinction in
his field as a highly respected and much admired individual
for his continuing accomplishments and his personal and professional
gifts as a professor, dean, chair, leader, and scholar; and
Whereas, with more than 30 years of dedicated
service, Dr. Cording has brought honor and prestige to Sam
Houston State University; and
Whereas, being given the charge to build
a Philosophy Program where none existed, he succeeded with
an immediate and dramatic impact. His unyielding dedication
and talent in the classroom were large contributors to the
program’s success; and
Whereas, as evidenced by turn-away crowds
in the courses that he taught, his students expressed their
respect and admiration for his ability in the classroom, ensuring
his reputation as one of the University’s more popular
and effective professors. As a confirmation of his gifted
teaching, Dr. Cording won the University Excellence in Teaching
award in 1978, one of the first years in which it was awarded;
and
Whereas, Dr. Cording is noted for being one
of the pioneers in the nation of the “death education”
movement, a movement which sought to bring death and dying
into the light of rational discussion. Creating a Death and
Dying course at Sam Houston State University, he was undaunted
in the task of presenting material dealing with death from
a multi-disciplinary perspective. Going beyond the classroom
as a traditional teaching venue, he gave numerous presentations
relating to the issues of death and dying to a vast array
of audiences, including those of health care professionals;
and
Whereas, convinced of the need to encourage
leaders of tomorrow, Dr. Cording was one of the founders of
the Freshman Leadership program at Sam Houston State University.
Doing more than speaking of leadership, Cording stepped forward
in 1979 to become Acting Dean and in 1981 Dean of the College
of Arts and Sciences. He saw his position as Dean as a place
from which to lead and to innovate. Further evidence of his
devoted leadership can be seen in his formation of the Texas
Association of Deans of Liberal Arts and Sciences, an organization
over which he presided as President in its first two years
and which continues to influence educational policy to the
present day; and
Whereas, while serving as Dean of the College
of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Cording was actively involved in
the planning and addition of three new facilities housing
eleven of the college’s programs; and
Whereas, among the broad array of his accomplishments
are numerous legacies of the meaningful contributions demonstrated
through significant service to the University as a faculty
member while serving on major university, as well as community,
committees and organizations; and
Whereas, through dedication and hard work
spanning over three decades, his accomplishments across the
full range of teaching, service, leadership, presentation,
publication, and civic and community activity while at Sam
Houston State University are truly distinguished. In recognition
of an academic career marked by eminence, distinction, and
excellence, Sam Houston State University unequivocally recommends
Dr. Richard A. Cording for the designation as Professor Emeritus;
be it therefore
Resolved, that all elements of Sam Houston
State University proffer to Professor Richard A. Cording their
gratitude and esteem; and be it further
Resolved, that Professor Richard A. Cording
be formally designated as Professor Emeritus of Philosophy
at Sam Houston State University and hold that title in perpetuity.
- END -
SHSU Media Contact: Frank
Krystyniak
May 4, 2004
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