Hawkinson, Robert E., 1943-2011

Robert E. Hawkinson, 1943-2011, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Swarthmore College in 1966. He went on to the University of Chicago, receiving an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science in 1969 and 1977.

Before joining the Willamette University faculty in the Political Science department in 1982, Hawkinson taught at the University of Chicago, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of California at Santa Cruz. During his years at Willamette University Hawkinson worked to improve the state of higher education both in his classroom and as a member of the administration. In addition to teaching political science courses, he was integral in the development of the World Views and College Colloquium freshman seminar series and helped create a residential commons program at Willamette. Hawkinson worked with students as an advisor, mentor and role model. He also sponsored many programs designed to enhancing the community experience of students. An example is the work he did as the original advisor to the Bistro on campus which began as a student project in 1986 and is continuing as a success after more than twenty years.

His research and writings were highly regarded, helping him receive numerous grants and fellowships, including the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, the Morton Grodzins Public Policy Fellowship, and fellowships at the National Institutes of Mental Health and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library.

Hawkinson was the only son of Ervil and Elizabeth Hawkinson and is survived by his first cousins and their children and grandchildren.