Sociological association honors Calhoun

Thomas C. Calhoun, associate provost for academic affairs at SIUC, has won the North Central Sociological Association's Aida Tomeh Award for Distinguished Service. He received a plaque March 25 during the association's annual meeting in Indianapolis.

Thomas C. Calhoun

The Tomeh Award honors those who have significantly aided the organization, which promotes scientific research, effective teaching, cooperation with other scholars and contributions to social policy. Members come from eastern Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ontario, Canada.

Calhoun, a member for more than 20 years, has served as the group's president, vice president, executive committee member, chair of nominations and membership chair.

"I didn't expect to get this award," he said.

"When I do things, I do them because they need to be done and not because I expect any type of recognition."

A full professor, Calhoun joined SIUC's sociology faculty in 2001, becoming department chair in 2003 and assuming his present position last year. Previous awards include the Association of Black Sociologists' 2005 A. Wade Smith Award for Teaching, Mentorship and Service.

Calhoun earned his bachelor's degree in 1970 from Texas Wesleyan College, his master's in 1971 from Texas Tech University and his doctorate in 1988 from the University of Kentucky.

He is the son of Ernestine A. Calhoun of Crystal Springs, Miss., and the late Walter Calhoun.

-- K.C. Jaehnig