Turner, John E. (John Elliot), 1917-2005

John Turner was born in Amble, England in 1917. He earned his B.A. in 1939 from Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, his M.A. in 1949 and Ph.D. in 1950 from the University of Minnesota. He was an instructor at Yankton College and a high school teacher before joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1947 as an instructor in political science. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1952 and professor in 1959. In 1974, Professor Turner was awarded the title of Regents' Professor, the highest award bestowed upon the faculty at the University of Minnesota. His specialization was comparative politics and Soviet and Chinese Communist politics. Turner retired as Regents' professor emeritus in 1988.

During his academic career at the University, Turner received the Horace T. Morse-Amoco Teaching Award for Undergraduate Education. He authored, co-authored, or edited eight books as well as numerous articles. He served on the University Senate for many years and chaired the University Honors Committee. Each year, the John Turner Award is given to the College of Liberal Arts honors student who writes the best thesis. In addition to his many contributions to the academic community, Professor Turner was a consultant to the government of Taiwan; a member of the Review Panel on Research Projects for the U.S. Department of Education; Chair of the Select Committee of the Office of Naval Research; a member of the Board of Trustees at his alma matter, Yankton College; a member of the Governor's Commission on Trade; and a member of the Board of Contributing Editors for the Minneapolis Star Tribune . In 2003, Turner received the Outstanding Achievement Award, an award conferred on alumni of the University who have attained unusual distinction in their chosen fields, professions or public service.

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