Michael O. Sawyer
{{Short description|American constitutional law professor (1919–2002)}}
{{Infobox scientist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Michael O. Sawyer
| honorific_suffix =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_upright =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = 1919
| birth_place = Syracuse, New York, US
| death_date = {{Death date and given age|2002|12|24|83}}
| death_place = Liverpool, New York, US
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| fields = constitutional law
| workplaces = Syracuse University
| alma_mater = Syracuse University
George Washington University
| thesis_title = Study of the activities of citizenship (A survey of two diverse communities).
| thesis_url = https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/850008724
| thesis_year = 1952
| doctoral_advisor =
| academic_advisors =
| doctoral_students =
| notable_students =
| known_for =
| influences =
| influenced =
| awards =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Michael O. Sawyer (1919–2002) was an American university administrator and constitutional law professor who worked at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University for over 42 years. He was known for his mentoring of thousands of students.
Early life and education
Sawyer earned his BS (1941), MS (1947), & PhD (1957) from Syracuse University. He also earned a JD from the George Washington University (1962). His 1952 doctoral thesis was titled "Study of the activities of citizenship (A survey of two diverse communities)".{{cite thesis |type=PhD |last1=Sawyer |first1=Michael O |title=Study of the activities of citizenship (A survey of two diverse communities). |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/850008724 |access-date=28 March 2022 |publisher=Syracuse University |date=1952 |oclc=850008724 |language=English}}
He was a Ford Foundation post-doctoral fellow, and was a scholar-in-residence for the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Career
Sawyer began his career as an instructor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1948 and was promoted to assistant professor (1952), associate professor (1957), and full professor in 1965. In 1970s, he began working with Syracuse chancellor Melvin Eggers in various administrative posts.{{cite book |last1=Greene |first1=John Robert |author1-link=John Robert Greene |title=Syracuse University: Volume V: The Eggers Years |date=1 November 1998 |publisher=Syracuse University Press |page=72 |location=Syracuse, New York |isbn=9780815605492 |oclc= 1285849861 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kd2MsADwS14C&pg=PA72 |access-date=29 March 2022 |language=en}}
Sawyer published many articles, conference papers, and several books on public law, American studies. He held visiting lectureships at the University of Colorado, University of Delaware, University of Georgia, University of North Carolina, University of Notre Dame, and University of Oregon.
Awards and honors
At Syracuse, He received several university awards, including the Outstanding Professor of Syracuse University (1986), Syracuse's highest alumni – honor the George Arents Pioneer Medal (1986), and the St. Thomas More Award (1987).
When he retired in 1990, the Maxwell school established The Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics in his honor.{{cite news |title=Campus Life: Syracuse; 42 Years of Warmth And Wit Wind Down |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/style/campus-life-syracuse-42-years-of-warmth-and-wit-wind-down.html |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=29 April 1990 |page=43 (Section 1)}} Some of the notable scholars to hold the chaired position are Stephen Macedo, Keith J. Bybee,{{cite news |last1=Dorgan |first1=Lauren R. |last2=Vascellaro |first2=Jessica E. |title=Popular Professor To Leave Harvard: Bybee to take Syracuse chair |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2001/11/21/popular-professor-to-leave-harvard-assistant/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=The Harvard Crimson |date=November 21, 2001}} and Thomas M. Keck.{{cite web |title=Thomas M. Keck |url=https://www.carnegie.org/awards/honoree/thomas-m-keck/ |website=Carnegie Corporation of New York |publisher=Carnegie Corporation of New York |access-date=29 March 2022 |language=en |date=2019}} A student award was also named in his honor.{{cite news |last1=Morrow |first1=Kevin |title=Michael O. Sawyer – esteemed Syracuse University faculty member and administrator for 42 years — dies at age 83 |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2002/12/27/michael-o-sawyer-esteemed-syracuse-university-faculty-member-and-administrator-for-42-years-dies-at-age-83/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=Syracuse University News |date=27 December 2002}}
The Maxwell school hosts the Sawyer Law and Politics Program (SLAPP).{{cite web |title=Sawyer Law and Politics Program |url=https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/research/campbell-public-affairs-institute/programs/sawyer-law-and-politics-program |publisher=Maxwell School of Syracuse University |access-date=29 March 2022 |language=en}} It also hosts the Michael O. Sawyer Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Law and Politics.{{cite web |title=Teaching Post-Doc - Michael O. Sawyer Post-Doctoral Fellow in Law & Politics |url=https://www.higheredjobs.com/state/details.cfm?JobCode=175876181&Title=Teaching%20Post-Doc%20-%20Michael%20O.%20Sawyer%20Post-Doctoral%20Fellow%20in%20Law%20%26%20Politics |publisher=www.higheredjobs.com |access-date=29 March 2022}}
Death
Sawyer died at the age of 83 on December 24, 2002, in Liverpool, New York, due to complications from Alzheimer.{{cite web |title=Obituary of Michael O. Sawyer: Falardeau Funeral Home |url=https://falardeaufh.com/tribute/details/6412/Michael-Sawyer/obituary.html |website=falardeaufh.com |access-date=29 March 2022}}{{cite news |title=Deaths SAWYER, MICHAEL O. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/23/classified/paid-notice-deaths-sawyer-michael-o.html |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=23 March 2003}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/research/campbell-public-affairs-institute/programs/sawyer-law-and-politics-program The Sawyer Law and Politics Program] at Maxwell School of Syracuse University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sawyer, Michael O.}}
Category:People from Syracuse, New York
Category:20th-century American educators
Category:20th-century American jurists
Category:Educators from New York (state)
Category:George Washington University alumni
Category:Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumni