Remembering David Levy: A Life of Scholarship, Teaching, and Service

Strategic Insights -

David Levy, a renowned professor and historian at the University of Oklahoma (OU), passed away on August 9 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence, teaching, and service. Over a career spanning five decades, Levy earned numerous accolades, including the Regent's Award for Superior Teaching in 1973 and the OU Student Association's Award for Outstanding Teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1985. His commitment to OU was unwavering, and he remained "uncommonly active" on campus even after his retirement in 2006.

Key Takeaways:

  • Levy earned his bachelor's degree in History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1959, a master's degree in History from the University of Chicago in 1961, and a doctoral degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1967.
  • He was named a David Ross Boyd Professor in 1987, a Presidential Professor in 1999, and the university's Rothbaum Professor of History in 2003.
  • Levy was a prolific writer, publishing books such as "Breaking Down Barriers: George McLaurin and the Struggle to End Segregated Education" and "Mark Twain: The Divided Mind of America's Best-loved Writer."
  • He chaired OU's Faculty Senate, was involved in the Honors College since its establishment in 1996, and helped establish OU's Judaic Studies program in 1997.
  • Levy served on various boards and organizations, including the Norman Planning Commission, Friends of the Norman Library, American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, and the YMCA.
  • His work inspired the establishment of the David Levy Prize, a faculty-selected monetary prize honoring the best student work in OU's U.S. History survey courses.
  • Levy remained energetic and involved in campus life after his retirement, publishing four more books and continuing to speak with students and civic groups.

Statistics:

  • Levy spent 55 years teaching at OU, with 40 of those years as a professor.
  • He earned two awards for outstanding teaching during his career: the Regent's Award for Superior Teaching in 1973 and the OU Student Association's Award for Outstanding Teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1985.
  • Levy published numerous books, including "Breaking Down Barriers: George McLaurin and the Struggle to End Segregated Education" and "Mark Twain: The Divided Mind of America's Best-loved Writer."
  • The David Levy Prize, a faculty-selected monetary prize, was established in his honor to recognize outstanding student work in OU's U.S. History survey courses.

Sources:

  • "David Levy Obituary" (exact wording from the original text)
  • OU Daily
  • University of Oklahoma
  • "University of Oklahoma: A History" by David Levy
  • "Breaking Down Barriers: George McLaurin and the Struggle to End Segregated Education" by David Levy
  • "Mark Twain: The Divided Mind of America's Best-loved Writer" by David Levy