Paul Homan, associate professor and chair of the modern languages department, is the recipient of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science's 2009 Outstanding Service Award.
“Dr. Homan’s commitment to service – ranging from departmental governance to college, university, professional and community – is astounding,” says R.S. Krishnan, associate vice president for academic affairs. “An indication of his effectiveness on committees is the frequency with which he has been asked to lead them.”
Homan has been instrumental in initiating and sustaining many programs at NDSU. The programs include the Department of Modern Languages, the Scholars Program, the Intensive English Language Program, the International Studies major, the Arabic and projected Middle Eastern Studies programs and the Tri-College Bozetto group for medieval scholarship.
He has served as chair of many university committees including the General Education Committee, the Communication Policy Revision Committee and the International Studies Supervisory Committee. He also has worked on the International Programs Advisory Council, the Student Progress Committee for the College of University Studies and the board of the Art Gallery in the Memorial Union.
Homan also has been active in other professional capacities. He has served as president and secretary-treasurer of the North Dakota chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French. He also is a member of the Foreign Language Association of the Red River and the Foreign Language Association of North Dakota. He has represented NDSU on the North Dakota Humanities Council for many years and he is on the governing board of the Upper Midwest Honors Council.
His service for the community includes serving as chair of Good Medicine Indian Health for Fargo-Moorhead and president of the American Civil Liberties Union. He is a board member of Cultural Diversity Resources of Fargo-Moorhead and has worked with the American Indian group, Northern Plains Voices.
“Dr. Homan represents service at its most fundamental and, in my opinion, most admirable – with little gain or recognition,” says Laurel Sparks, retired senior lecturer of modern languages. “He often gives others credit for what he has been equally instrumental in achieving.”
Homan came to NDSU in 1987. He earned a doctorate at the University of Kansas, Lawrence; master’s degree at the University of Montana, Missoula; and bachelor’s degree at Carroll College in Helena, Mont.
June 3, 2009