Kent DeLance Lawson

Kent DeLance Lawson, PhD 1921 - 2009 BENNINGTON Kent DeLance Lawson, PhD, died Feb. 24, 2009, in Oneonta, N.Y. He was born on Feb. 17, 1921 in Binghamton, N.Y. Kent was a graduate of Cornell University and received his PhD in physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He taught physics at Bennington College, Bennington, Vt., for 11 years from 1954 to 1965. He then taught at SUNY, Oneonta for 26 years, retiring in 1991 as Distinguished Teaching Professor, Emeritus. While at SUNY, Dr Lawson was the first faculty member to receive the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, the first person to be designated Distinguished Teaching Professor and was later recognized as Outstanding Educator of America. Over the years, Dr. Lawson developed an innovative course in creative thought which he named EDUX. His development and teaching of this coursework was a passionate lifelong endeavor. At the time of his death, he had developed an internet course in EDUX and was actively involved with its publication. Many of his former students were energetic participants in this continuing process. Much of Dr Lawson's EDUX program materials may be found in the SUCO Milne Library archives. His wife of 54 years, the former Jane Yvonne Hulbirt., passed away in 1999. Kent and Jane had three daughters, Leila Jacobs and her husband, Roger, of Fredericksburg, Va.; Nancy Mangione and her husband, Peter, of McLean, V., and Ardith Huemmer and her fiancé, Jay Dinga, of Oneonta. There are eight grandchildren, two of whom live in Oneonta: Kenny and Brett Huemmer, and eight great-grandchildren. The family would especially like to thank Kent's many devoted caregivers who lovingly cared for him over the last 10 years. Kent will be remembered for his intelligent wit, optimism, graciousness and perseverance. FUNERAL NOTICE: A service to celebrate the life of Dr. Kent Lawson will be Saturday, Feb 28, 2009, at 1 p.m. in the Southside Wesleyan Church with the Rev Eric Santamont, pastor, officiating. Burial will be later in the Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta. Friends may call at the LESTER R. GRUMMONS FUNERAL HOME from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb 27, at which time the family will be in attendance. Donations in his memory may be made to the International Essential Tremor Foundation, P.O. Box 14005, Lenexa, KS 66285-4005 or Catskill Area Hospice, One Birchwood Dr, Oneonta, NY. Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com