“An eminent scholar, a wonderful teacher”

I won't be able to attend the celebration honoring Ted Lowi, but here is my expression of remembrance and gratitude.

Many will remember Ted Lowi as an eminent scholar, as a wonderful teacher, or in so many other ways. I, perhaps atypically, remember him with great appreciation as my undergraduate advisor.

In my last year at Cornell, I applied to several universities to do graduate work in Political Science. One of the universities I was applying to required four letters of recommendation rather than the usual three. I wasn’t sure what to do, since I felt that there were only three faculty members who knew me well. I didn’t know Ted well, but since he was my advisor, I asked his advice. Without hesitation, he very kindly offered to write for me in his capacity as my advisor. 

I have always remembered his helpful, unassuming, gracious manner, especially on those occasions when I felt besieged by innumerable requests for reference letters. I would say to myself, “If Ted could find the time, so can I.”

His good deed more than half a century ago (gasp!) stayed with me and inspired me throughout my long teaching career.

Paul Marantz

College of Arts and Sciences

Cornell Class of 1962