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| GRESHAM RILEY AWARD RECIPIENT 1998 |
Joseph T. Gordon
The embodiment of interdisciplinary thinking and learning, Joe has created
a "fan club" of former students dating back to his first class
in 1964. He has taught CC students to think not just about the parts,
but about the whole. Joe himself can take the germ of an idea and create
something whole and strong. He did it when he created the Pikes Peak Institute,
a seminal course for the Experienced Teacher MAT program. In doing so,
and in serving as advisor to countless MAT students, he has had a profound
impact on the quality of K-12 teaching in the Pikes Peak region.
To those not involved in teacher education, Joe Gordon is synonymous with
the Hulbert Center for the Southwest Studies and Research and the Baca
Campus. Joe wrote the NEH Grant that transformed the Southwest Studies
Program, and had the vision and determination to raise the matching funds
for that important grant. That program has become a model for many other
regional studies and interdisciplinary programs around the country.
The acquisition and realization of the Baca Campus as one of the more
unique components of Colorado College was due in great measure to Joe
Gordon's vision and commitment. he first found the funding for the architect's
fee and then was tireless in raising funds to get the lodges built. Joe
sat in on all of the architect's meetings, looked over plans, called for
campus meetings to solicit ideas and input from students, faculty, administration,
and staff. He was equally tireless in "selling" the Baca to
other faculty members as an ideal location for the kind of teaching and
learning that is special to Colorado College. All this in spite of grave
medical setbacks. In Joe's commitment to the Southwest, he became a pioneer
in establishing the "sense of place" concept tha has become
second nature to all at the College today.
Joe is as devoted to alumni as he is to students. He is the embodiment
of the lifelong connection to CC for many. Even in his "retirement"
his commitment continues" co-chairing the Campus Committee for CC's
current Campaign, still teaching the Southwest Studies first year seminar
and still concerned about the future of the place he has chosen to make
his home for over 30 years.
Alumni are grateful to Joe in so many ways. We offer a partial payment
on our thanks to him today.
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