Raymond H. Dawson, a former Carolina political science professor and UNC system administrator, has returned to the University as the Class of 1989 William C. Friday Visiting professor of political science.
Contributions from the class of 1989, Georgia Kyser, the Educational Foundation and the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust created the professorship in honor of Friday, president of the UNC system for 30 years. Donations to the professorship fund exceeded $333,000, with $167,000 from state coffers, creating a permanent $500,000 endowment.
Dawson is serving as visiting professor while a national search is under way for someone to hold the chair, which has excellence in undergraduate teaching as the primary criterion for selection. When the position is filled, the chair will be known as the Class of 1989 Distinguished Teaching Professorship in Honor of William C. Friday.
"Ray Dawson is a gifted teacher as well as a great administrator," said Stephen S. Birdsall, College of Arts and Sciences dean. "He left our faculty to join the greater university system, and he served the people of the state with energy, intelligence and integrity. We are delighted to welcome him back into our classrooms."
Dawson joined the political science faculty in 1958 and served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the General College from 1968-72, when he joined the General Administration.
Dawson also has been honored by UNC system President C.D. Spangler Jr. who created the Raymond H. Dawson Distinguished Professorship in Political Science.
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