Prof Hanson gets another accolade

By Rory Sa

Renowned Fresno State classics professor and political commentator Victor David Hanson was awarded the President’s Award of Excellence for 2003.

The award, announced during last week’s faculty assembly, includes a $10,000 award. Hanson’s wife Cara accepted the award for her husband, as the respected scholar was on the East Coast for several speaking engagements.

Hanson has taught at Fresno State since the mid-1980s, when he helped to create Fresno State’s classics program. Under his guidance as coordinator of the program Hanson has transformed the fledgling program into a nationally recognized classics program.

Hanson has written 11 novels with subjects ranging from the wars of ancient Greece to the importance of the agrarian lifestyle. He is also a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers including Newsweek and The Los Angeles Times. He also writes a bi-weekly column for National Review Online.

The University Advisory board established the President’s Award of Excellence in 2001 to recognize a faculty or staff member demonstrating integrity, leadership and a commitment to the university and the community. The award was created to honor Fresno State President John Welty.

Last year’s recipient was Smittcamp Family Honors College director Dr. Stephen A. Rodemeyer, a Fresno State chemistry professor.