Jim Carpenter

English professor Raymond J. Nelson, former dean of Arts & Sciences, received U.Va's highest honor.

Former dean Raymond J. Nelson receives U.Va.'s Thomas Jefferson Award

By Katherine Jackson

Raymond J. Nelson, professor of English and former dean of Arts and Sciences, received U.Va.'s highest honor, the Thomas Jefferson Award, at Fall Convocation Oct. 22.

Given annually since 1955, the award honors a member of the University community who exemplifies in character, work and influence the principles and ideals of the University's founder.

"During Ray Nelson's tenure as dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, he became one of the most effective deans in our history. He brought integrity and good sense to the job. The departments under his leadership experienced an unprecedented rise in stature," said U.Va. President John T. Casteen III.

His leadership during an era of financial austerity is credited with helping keep Virginia among a select few top universities strongly committed to both excellent undergraduate education and world-class research.

"His effectiveness came from a combination of factors -- a straightforward and ethical management style, a keen ability to assess strengths and weaknesses, and the enormous respect of his colleagues on the faculty. Ray Nelson has set a high standard," Casteen said.

elson served as dean of Arts and Sciences from 1989 to 1997. A popular American literature scholar, he holds the Arts and Sciences Professorship in English. He joined the U.Va. faculty in 1969 after receiving his doctorate from Stanford.

About five years ago, Nelson began making photomicrographs -- photos of magnified images of microscopic objects. A number of his works have appeared in a calendar Nikon publishes of award-winning entries from its annual contest, "A Small World," and were displayed at the Art Department's Fayerweather Gallery last year.