Sara M. Evans

History, College of Liberal Arts, 2004-2008

Sara Evans graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1976 and joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota the same year. In 1991, she was recognized as Scholar of the College of Liberal Arts, and in 1997, she was selected as a Distinguished McKnight University Professor. She is described as one of the foremost scholars of feminist studies in the United States, and is attributed with creating the field of women's history. Her scholarly contributions extend across the College of Liberal Arts and include the areas of Women's Studies and American Studies. Through her efforts, she has helped to establish the University of Minnesota as a major center for women's history and women's studies. She is recognized as a leader in feminist scholarship, and has contributed to this area as a Director of the Center for Advanced Feminist Studies, as consultant and member of the Board of Editors for Feminist Studies, and as co-author of the book Wage Justice. She has authored altogether seven books, one of which, Born for Liberty, has been published in nine languages. Her first book, Personal Politics, is still considered a classic in the field after 25 years.

In addition to her outstanding scholarly accomplishments, Dr. Evans is an active teacher and mentor. She teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and has advised 29 Ph.D. students, many of whom now have appointments at major research institutions. In 2003, her efforts with regard to graduate education were recognized with the University of Minnesota Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate-Professional Education. Her service contributions to the University of Minnesota, to the profession, and to the community have been remarkable. Her leadership to the University of Minnesota has been described as continuous, energetic and visionary. The evidence of the quality of her leadership and judgment is clear in her numerous key committee and Task Force appointments at the department, college and university level. In 1999, she received recognition for these efforts with the University of Minnesota President's Outstanding Service Award.