91直播

George B. Stow, Ph.D., a La 91直播 history professor for a half-century, honored with memorial scholarship聽

February 26, 2024

The scholarship made in Dr. Stow鈥檚 honor will be given to a student with strong academic credentials and a demonstrated financial need. 

George B. Stow, Ph.D., professor emeritus, longtime program director, and chair in the Department of History whose service to 91直播 exceeded 50 years is being remembered through a memorial scholarship. All photos courtesy of University Archives.

George B. Stow, Ph.D., professor emeritus, longtime graduate program director, and former chair of the Department of History, is being honored through an academic scholarship in his name. Stow鈥檚 service to 91直播 exceeded 50 years before he died in February 2023 at the age of 82. 

鈥淕eorge Stow was a mentor for everyone in the department who came after him,鈥 Charles A. Desnoyers, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history said. Desnoyers alongside Stuart Leibiger, Ph.D., professor and chair of history, decided to create the scholarship in Stow鈥檚 name to honor his legacy.  

The George B. Stow, Ph.D., Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund will be given to an undergraduate student or prospective undergraduate student with a preference to students who are majoring in or minoring in history. The student recipients must also possess strong academic credentials and demonstrate financial need. Students may be awarded this scholarship award for more than one year; however, they must be considered in good academic standing. 

鈥淗e was a real driving force in the department,鈥 Desnoyers said.  

鈥淕eorge set high standards for both himself and his students,鈥 Leibiger added. 鈥淗e endeared himself to his students with his sharp wit.鈥  

Stow began his La 91直播 career in 1972 as a specialist in ancient and medieval history. Over the next 50 years, he taught thousands of students while earning national and global recognition for his research work and proficiency in those subject areas. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society for his expertise in ancient and medieval history. 

Stow was a research-active professor and frequently exhibited his expertise outside of the classroom. He published two books, 14 articles, and 23 book reviews, delivered 28 conference presentations, and co-authored a best-selling world history textbook. 

At La 91直播, he co-founded a master鈥檚 program in history in 2004, which he directed for 15 years. In 2009, he helped launch a concentration in public history. He provided decades of administrative service to the Department of History including serving as chair from 1981鈥1987 and chaired the department鈥檚 evening division from 1980鈥1981.  

Desnoyers considered Stow as a mentor and friend. The two worked together as faculty members at La 91直播 but also as co-authors. He remembers Stow鈥檚 鈥渒iller sense of humor,鈥 but also his passion for his work and focus on meticulous scholarship.  

鈥淗e was laser-focused on getting the details right,鈥 Desnoyers said.  

Stow was also dedicated to his students. La 91直播 honored him with the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award in 2003, which recognizes excellence in teaching. 

鈥淕eorge Stow combined the two key facets of a great teacher,鈥 John Rossi, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history said. 鈥淗e was a lively classroom performer who kept students interested no matter the topic. George was also a highly regarded scholar whose writing and research on the career of King Richard II of England set the standard for that field of study.鈥 

Stow received a Bachelor of Arts degree in the classics at Lehigh University. He also completed a Master of Arts program in history at the University of Southern California and earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Illinois.