For his life-long dedication to education, Dr. Ray Cleveland LLD (Honorary)'18 is receiving the University of Regina’s highest honour – an honorary degree.
Cleveland was born in Nebraska and later moved to California. He graduated from Westmont College with a bachelor’s degree. Later, he received his master’s and PhD from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. As a graduate student, his educational experience was enhanced by working as secretarial assistant to W. F. Albright, one of the most influential biblical archaeologists of the 20th century.
He went on to work on several archaeological excavations, most notably at Jericho under the direction of Kathleen Kenyon, another of the most influential archaeologists of the 20th century. Dr. Cleveland also had occasion to work with Wendel Phillips, an expedition leader and founder of the American Foundation for the Study of Man. Dr. Cleveland served as a researcher and editor on Phillips’ books Oman: A History and Unknown Oman.
“Teaching provides human contact that many occupations do not,” Cleveland says. “Teaching is especially great because it brings interaction in the realms of information and ideas.”
“I left archaeological fieldwork and research in part to have more varied ideas to consider and too have contact with a greater variety of people,” he says. “Archaeological field work and research were in a sense preparation for my later teaching. I recommend it for any student who wants to teach history, especially ancient history. Working with the material culture of earlier societies provides important insights into the historical process.”
He came to Regina in the mid-‘60s and for 27 years was one of the most respected teachers in the Department of History. Cleveland introduced and taught courses on ancient history, modern Middle East and the history of Islam. He was named professor emeritus upon his retirement in the mid-‘90s.
“Teaching provides human contact that many occupations do not,” Cleveland says. “Teaching is especially great because it brings interaction in the realms of information and ideas.”
Cleveland donated hundreds of scholarly books and journals to the Dr. John Archer Library. (A former student recalls the collection on ancient history was largely made up of Cleveland’s donations.) He was also an active academic publisher. His scholarly writing included book reviews, articles and contributions to numerous books. His books, The Middle East and South Asia, 1967, and later, The Middle East and South Asia 1988, were published in 21 annually revised editions.
“When Dr. Timmons called me to offer this honour, I found it hard to believe. At my stage in life, this honour does not make me any more marketable, but it makes me happier.”
Cleveland is recognized internationally as an expert on the history of Palestine and continued to publish on the subject long after his retirement. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of the Pacific in 1970.
For decades, he has taught older adults at the U of R’s Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC). His courses have covered such topics as ancient history, the modern Middle East, and archaeological research on ancient cultures.
“Teaching older adults differs in the first way because of the life experience that older people have,” says Cleveland. “They are able to view early cultures, history and current events from a broader perspective than young students. Teaching non-credit classes to older people also allows for greater flexibility in classroom discussion.”
Today, students in his LLC classroom remain as engaged with the gifted educator as were his students in the mid-‘60s.
“When Dr. Timmons called me to offer this honour, I found it hard to believe. At my stage in life, this honour does not make me any more marketable, but it makes me happier. I think too that it will please many of my present and former students, and that is a cause for some satisfaction.”
Dr. Cleveland received his honorary Doctor of Laws on October 19.
Dr. Elizabeth Bryce
Before them came the likes of former prime minister Lester Bowles Pearson, singer Buffy Sainte-Marie and hockey great Gordie Howe. Meet this fall’s two honorary degree recipients; a world-class medical microbiologist and infectious disease expert, and a dedicated educator and respected history professor.
Read More
2018 Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards
This year marks the 14th anniversary of the University of Regina’s flagship alumni award program – The Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards. The awards were established to celebrate the accomplishments of University of Regina alumni who have realized outstanding achievement in their field. Meet this fall’s deserving recipients.
Read More