Arthur Talbot Bawden, 1920
B.S., Denison University
M.Sc., Ph.D., Ohio State University
Danville, Calif.
Citation awarded on Saturday, June 6, 1970
Grandson of Samson Talbot, Denison’s fourth president, Arther Talbot Bawden evokes his alma mater’s praise for his developmental work in physical science for general education and for the inspiration of his teaching which has drawn countless numbers of students into scientific careers. He is a distinguished educator who has given generations of students a new appreciation for the scientific intricacies of our physical universe.
Professor emeritus of analytical chemistry at San Joaquin Delta College (formerly, the University of the Pacific at Stockton) in California, Dr. Bawden has also served that college 32 years in various capacities, including chairman of the science division, dean of technology, director of the civilian pilot training program, director of physical science courses, and, from 1940 to 1948, as its president. His greatest impact, however, has been as an interpreter of physical science for non-scientists. His survey course, first introduced in 1934, was one of the first ten courses to establish the field in physical science in the country. His text, Man’s Physical Universe, published in 1937, now in its fifth edition and still widely used, was one of the first pioneer texts to be published in this area.
