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This fund was established in honor of Professor Erik Gram Ellgaard. Dr. Ellgaard, an extremely popular and well-respected member of the Tulane faculty, died of cancer July 6, 1999 at his summer home in Wisconsin. Dr. Ellgaard received a bachelor of arts in history from Drake University in 1961, and a Ph.D in zoology and genetics from the University of Iowa in 1968. He joined Tulane’s faculty as an assistant professor of biology in 1970. He served the university’s biology department, which later became the department of cell and molecular biology, in various capacities including director of graduate studies, assistant chairman, associate professor and associate chairman. Dr. Ellgaard was a respected scientist, publishing more than 30 articles in scientific journals during his career; however, what Dr. Ellgaard was really known for at Tulane was his intense love of teaching and for always taking the time to help students. So great was Dr. Ellgaard's popularity among students that at one time he had well over 100 advisees, more than some faculty members advise during their entire career. Dr. Ellgaard gave generously of his time, writing thousands of letters during his tenure for students applying to medical and professional schools. In addition to students, Dr. Ellgaard always took the time to develop relationships with his fellow faculty and staff, offering support and encouragement in both professional and personal matters. Click here to read a memorial to Dr. Ellgaard. Dr. Ellgaard received numerous academic honors during his years at Tulane, including Newcomb College’s Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award (1985); the Randolph C. Reed Award for Excellence in Teaching, Liberal Arts and Sciences (1992); the Student and Senate Award for Excellence in Academic Advising, College of Arts and Sciences (1992); the Mortar Board Award for Excellence in Teaching, Newcomb College, (1992); the Tulane College Senate Award for Distinguished Service (1997); the Tulane College Senior Class Outstanding Advisor Award for Exemplary Service to Students (1997); H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College Distinguished Newcomb Fellow (1997); the Tulane Honors Program Professor of the Year (1997) and the Sheldon Hackney Award for Excellence in Teaching (1997). Since 1991, Dr. Ellgaard was a Residential Fellow for Tulane’s Residential Learning Program. Each year, the Professor Erik G. Ellgaard Award is presented to the outstanding senior in Newcomb College and Tulane College for demonstrating excellence in cell and molecular biology. A trophy is presented to the student, signifying the many trophies presented to students in Professor Ellgaard’s classes for achievement, e.g., highest grade point, most improved scores, etc. The Professor Erik G. Ellgaard Award for Excellence in Cell and Molecular Biology has been presented to the following students:
Donations to the fund can be made to Tulane’s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 2000 Stern Hall, New Orleans, LA 70118. |
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