Sociology professor Tom Henricks was recognized as Elon’s second Distinguished University Professor by President Leo M. Lambert during opening faculty workshop activities, Aug. 18. Henricks, the J. Earl Danieley Professor of Sociology, received the honor for his meritorious service to the university.
The Distinguished University Professorship is bestowed, on occasion, to full professors who have made distinguished contributions to teaching, scholarship and the Elon University community. The board of trustees created the honor in 2001, and a committee comprised of faculty members solicited nominations and recommendations for the award.
Henricks joined the Elon faculty in 1977 and is regarded as one of the university’s finest teachers and scholar. He received Elon’s highest award for teaching, the Daniels-Danieley Award for Excellence in Teaching, in 1990. He has also held administrative and leadership roles on campus, serving as chair of the sociology department from 1986-1991 and associate dean of academic affairs and dean of the division of social sciences from 1991-1997.
He has served on important task forces and committees, including those on diversity and the role of the teacher-scholar at Elon. He has played leadership roles in the development of the faculty released-time system; studies of the tenure system and adjunct faculty; the founding of the Faculty Resource Center; and the creation of majors in sociology and international studies and minors in African-American studies and criminal justice.
Henricks is an active scholar who has more than 30 articles, book chapters and reviews in scholarly publications to his credit. He is the author of a book, “Disputed Pleasures: Sport and Society in Preindustrial England,” and has two more manuscripts in preparation. He presents his work frequently at professional conferences and is the recipient of several grants from various agencies, including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education.
Henricks earned a bachelor’s degree from North Central College, and master’s and doctoral degrees in sociology from the University of Chicago.
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