Jules Benjamin
History, 1989-2005

For the past 30 years Ithaca professor Jules Benjamin shared his passion for history with students and fellow scholars. Benjamin earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Ithaca College history department in 1989. He held research fellowships at the University of Southern California and the University of Pittsburgh. As a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow, he conducted research at the University of California. In 1992 he was awarded an Ithaca College Dana Research Fellowship. A noted author, Benjamin wrote A Student's Guide to History (now in its eighth edition), An Empire of Liberty in an Age of National Liberation, and numerous articles. He was president of the faculty senate and a member of Faculty Council and the H&S honors program advisory committee.

John Bracewell
Theater Arts, 1973-2005

On the subject of technology in theater, John "Doc" Bracewell was Ithaca's expert in residence. During his 32-year career instructing students in the art and science of sound design, theater technology, and related stagecraft, he has witnessed the growth of the theater department. He said, "I look back and see how far we've come, and I'm gratified to have been part of it all." An early advocate of computer technology in teaching, producing, controlling, and rehearsing live theater, Bracewell was also a member of the Audio Engineering Society and a board member of the U.S. Institute of Theater Technology. He served the institute as education commissioner and sound commissioner. Bracewell's book, Sound Design in the Theater, is a standard in the field. "I'm very proud of the students for whom I have been to some degree a 'major' professor," he said. "I'm gratified by their success and accomplishments. It's been incredibly rewarding for me to spend a career teaching a subject that I truly enjoy."

Diane Schwartz
Mathematics-Computer Science, 1965-2005

When Diane Schwartz came to Ithaca College, she was younger than some of the seniors in her calculus classroom. Forty years later, she leaves as one of the College's most influential mathematics professors. A former department chair, Schwartz administered through periods of extraordinary growth and development. She was active on Faculty Council, the Ithaca College Strategic Planning Committee, and the H&S faculty senate, serving as president from 2000 to 2003. She worked with colleagues to pioneer the Ithaca Calculus Project, a successful projects-based curriculum for first-year calculus students. Funded by four National Science Foundation grants, the project led to a series of workshops and a textbook, Calculus: An Active Approach with Projects. Schwartz is author of Conjecture and Proof: An Introduction to Mathematical Thinking, which is used nationwide. While active outside the classroom, teaching was her favorite calling. "I love mathematics, and I loved sharing that passion in the classroom. That's what I'll miss the most."

Stephen Schwartz
Philosophy and Religion, 1971-2005

Immediately after receiving his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1971, Stephen Schwartz was hired as a professor at Ithaca. His colleagues now consider him the intellectual center of their department. A noted teacher, mentor, lecturer, and scholar, his articles and reviews have appeared in numerous journals. He is author of the book Fundamentals of Reasoning and editor of Naming, Necessity, and Natural Kinds. Among his awards and honors, Schwartz earned the Ithaca College Dana Research Fellowship and the Cornell University Society for the Humanities Summer Fellowship. He was invited to attend the prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar program on four occasions and became the first sabbatical exchange professor to spend a semester at Ithaca's London Center.

Garry Thomas
Anthropology, 1970-2005

A degree in political science followed by a Peace Corps assignment in Tanzania led Garry Thomas to a passion for anthropology and a lifelong interest in Africa. After earning his Ph.D. in social science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School, Thomas joined Ithaca's then combined department of sociology and anthropology. He returned to Africa for work and study throughout his career. In the process, he became interested in sustainable agricultural practices, turning the subject into one of his department's major strengths—a focus that continues today. Thomas's expertise in the field was instrumental in obtaining a National Science Foundation sustainability grant for the College two years ago. The award was a significant milestone, helping the College to strengthen its position among the educational leaders in global sustainability.