University Award for Excellence in Teaching
James Ming, 1982
"In 1944, Lawrence welcomed to its faculty ranks a big Texan from Beaumont by way of New York, Oklahoma, and Indiana. In response to an inquiry from the President's Office, he listed his church membership as Baptist but his church preference as Episcopalian. Fortunately, he has evidenced no such ambivalence about his creative commitments and activities: they have been and remained music and music.
Rising from Assistant Professor to the T. A. Chapman Professor of Music in 23 years, he has become a mainstay of the University even as he has shared his love and knowledge of music with generations of students, and has helped them to transform nebulous notions into coherent musical expression. He has initiated them into the mysteries of invertible counterpoint, helped them to unravel the intricacies of enharmonic modulation, and instilled the fear of the Lord into any who willfully persisted in the use of ungrammatical music syntax. Always ready to offer advice and counsel to colleagues who sought his help, he has contributed substantially to the education of six deans of the Conservatory and five presidents of the University.
It is not coincidental that Lawrence has grown in excellence and in stature during his tenure here; his outstanding teaching has enhanced the quality of education, and his creative accomplishments have added luster to the institution.
It is my pleasure to present to James Ming the 1982 Excellent Teaching Award."