Don Abel came to SNC in 1984. During his 30-year long career at St Norbert College, Don has been a popular and effective teacher, a productive scholar, and a valued colleague. In addition to his teaching in the shared rotation of Philosophy of Human Nature classes, other popular courses he taught were Medieval Philosophy, The Soul, Consciousness, and Depth Psychology and Ethics. Don has been one of our best instructors, teaching, in the words of our college motto, “by word and example.” In recognition of his accomplishments Don received the Leonard Ledvina Outstanding Teacher Award in 1988. Don has published six books, two of them nationally recognized and highly popular textbook anthologies, and since 1994 he has been involved with the construction and constant upgrading of a massive database of philosophical texts under the imprint of McGraw-Hill. His PowerWeb: Philosophy and PowerWeb: Ethics on-line supplements continue his initiative in technological applications to the study of philosophy. Don received the Donald B. King Distinguished Scholar Award in 1992 in recognition of his scholarly achievements. Regarding collegial activities and contributions, Don was instrumental in the creation and early consolidation of the Killeen Chair of Theology & Philosophy, serving as its first program chair. He has contributed to many taskforces and ad hoc committees, searches for new faculty hires, and the regular complement of standing college committees, including, high-profile committees such as the faculty personnel committee, and he served a term as faculty chair.

Biographical Note written by Joe Dyal, 2019.