Dr. Gregory Schneider, center, was named the 2019 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor by a group of ESU administrators that included, from left, Dr. Michael Smith, chair of social sciences; ESU President Allison D. Garrett; Dr. Brent Thomas, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Dr. David Cordle, provost.
Dr. Gregory Schneider is a professor with high standards who pushes his students to excel. He is nationally recognized for significant contributions to modern U.S. history. He is respected for giving his time and talents to Emporia State through service on Faculty Senate and other campus committees.
And, today, Dr. Gregory Schneider is Emporia State University’s 2019 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor.
University administrators made the surprise announcement during Schneider’s undergraduate course, United States, 1900-1945.
“I’m very touched, I’m very honored — and I’m very surprised,” said Schneider.
Schneider joined the history faculty at Emporia State in 1998 after earning a bachelor of arts degree in international relations from Drake University, a master of arts degree in history from Ohio University and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His doctoral thesis, “The Other Sixties: Young Americans for Freedom and the Rise of the Right,” became his first of five published books.
During the 2018-19 academic year, Schneider served as First Vice President of the Faculty. In fall 2019, he becomes President of the Faculty.
At Emporia State, Schneider teaches undergraduate sections in U.S. history since 1977 and a focus on 1900 to 1945 and a graduate course in Cold War readings. During his ESU career, he has taught courses in the 1960s, diplomatic history, the history of conservatism and the history of railroads.
“Dr. Schneider had high standards and would expect students to meet these standards, which, while high, were always fair and never unreasonable,” wrote a former graduate student. “As I finish my dissertation and begin my academic career, he is the type of professor that I aspire to be.”
Schneider’s interest in railroad history led to the 2013 book, “Rock Island Requiem: The Collapse of a Mighty Fine Line. He currently is working on “Government Rails: The American Railroad Industry in Prosperity, Depression and War, 1917-1945.”
Wrote Dr. Michael Smith, chair of the Department of Social Sciences: “Greg Schneider is in the master class of teachers, faculty active in service and researchers who work has helped Emporia State and our department thrive while earning him a well-deserved national reputation.”
The Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor Award has been given since 1979 to the ESU professor who best demonstrates teaching excellence, professional activities, fostering of intellectual atmosphere, service to the university outside the classroom and status as a student mentor. The award includes $1,000 to be used for professional activities.
As the 2019 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor, Schneider will be honored at a university reception. He will be listed in the spring commencement program and be the speaker at the December 2019 commencement.