Eric Carlson
It is my great honor to introduce this year’s Carlson winner…since good teaching requires good students, I am going to read some quotes students have written about this outstanding teacher.
One student wrote:
“His investment in education for himself and his students shows through his enthusiasm in and out of the classroom and in his willingness to go the extra mile to assist students in pursuing research that is of their interest, whether that be discussing a topic or assisting in locating source materials.”
“He truly inspired me as a student to be excellent, creative and enthusiastic about learning.”
And another:
In his classes, he instills a spirit of confidence and curiosity for every student in the room. He allows students to engage in learning and discussion themselves, talking with one another and asking questions…
He is a thorough grader, and he does not students side by with sloppy ideas or papers that don’t have something meaningful to say.” I have appreciated his bluntness and willingness to tell students, “that might not be working” and while he is a hard grader, his thoroughness in grading demonstrates that he truly cares about his students.”
His ability to accept us for who we are, and inspire us to be the best we can be, is an invaluable quality.”
He is also the epitome of the teaching scholar who has published three books and several articles and as a result, received the Faculty Scholarly Achievement Award in 2009.
A Gustavus faculty member since 1990, his diverse course offerings ranging from introductory courses on European history, to more specialized courses on medieval and Tudor-Stuart England, Medieval Christianity, the Reformation, Modern Germany, and European Jewish history. And most recently he has played a pivotal role in reshaping the History curriculum that offers a dynamic global focus with emphasis on global connections, challenges students to think historiographically, and nurtures history majors to become intellectual entrepreneurs as they pursue independent research projects in their senior year.
It is my great honor and privilege to announce the Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching to my fellow history colleague, Dr. Eric Carlson.
Presented by David Obermiller
Associate Professor of History
2015 Recipient of the Edgar M. Carlson Award