Jacqueline E. Lawson, the first faculty member from one of the University of Michigan’s regional campuses to chair the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA), is remembered by colleagues and students for her energy, her intellectual vitality, and her willingness to speak out on important issues. In recognition of Professor Lawson’s love of the University and commitment to faculty, the Jackie Lawson Memorial Fund to support faculty governance was created by her family, friends and colleagues.
Professor Lawson served the University in a variety of elected roles. At Dearborn, she was a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee on Campus Affairs and chaired both Dearborn’s Faculty Senate and its executive body, the Faculty Senate Council.
Professor Lawson served two non-consecutive terms on Senate Assembly and was elected to SACUA during the second term, chairing that body in 2000. She was a model citizen, giving generously of her time and energy for the common good of the scholarly community. Professor Lawson served on the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee and contributed to the “Principles of Faculty Involvement in Institutional and Academic Unit Governance at the University of Michigan,” a statement of principles for faculty participation in institutional governance. She was an ardent defender of academic freedom and served on the board of directors of the Academic Freedom Lecture Fund.
Professor Lawson also pressed for the evaluation of executive officers and did an outstanding job representing faculty interests to the Board of Regents.
A member of the U-M Dearborn faculty from 1985 until her death Jan. 8, 2001, Professor Lawson was beloved by students. She taught 18th-century British and 20th-century American literature, press law and ethics, and the history of journalism. A gifted teacher, she was especially committed to the liberal arts and to the education of working-class students. Among the many honors she received were Dearborn’s Distinguished Teaching Award, the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of State Universities and the Faculty Appreciation Award from student athletes.
In recognition of her devotion to the University and to the highest principles of faculty governance, the University of Michigan presents posthumously to Jacqueline E. Lawson its Distinguished Faculty Governance Award.
