Sandra Campbell
Staff Writer
A man revered by many as one of the university's most respected leaders is honored on his last day in office.
The University of Houston Board of Regents will award the Medal of Honor to Interim Provost and UH professor George Magner, who was thanked for his one-year service as provost at a banquet held in his honor Monday afternoon at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
At a more private reception held at the Wortham House last week, Magner was honored by host UH System Chancellor/UH President Arthur K. Smith.
Magner served as UH provost from 1978 to 1985, and more recently as UH-Downtown's 1997-98 interim president.
"The university owes (Magner) a lot for being willing to step in where he's needed," said Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology Gordon Paul. "He's a genuinely nice man."
For the past year Magner served dual leadership roles as provost and UH System Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Many students who know Magner describe him as "a caring teacher" and "a grandfather figure."
Faculty Senate President Robert Palmer said, "George (Magner) is really the epitome of a dedicated faculty member."
Magner's contributions include handling system-wide academic programs, providing and planning support for KUHT-TV and serving as a liaison among the universities in the UH System.
Magner will resume teaching in the UH Graduate School of Social Work on Wednesday.
The new Medal of Honor, created by the Board of Regents in 1996, recognizes individuals who have displayed support, service and friendship throughout the UH community. Magner is one of two people who will receive the award at this year's commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled to take place in May. Corbin J. Robertson Jr., former member of the Board of Regents after whom Robertson Stadium was named, is the other recipient.
Magner said he is glad to be returning to the classroom.
"It's time to go. It was fun. It was hard," he said. "(But) I'm getting older. It's time to do something else."