Michael Oberg from SUNY Geneseo's Department of History and an internationally renowned scholar in Native American studies, has been appointed a SUNY Distinguished Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees. Oberg is the sixth Geneseo faculty member to receive a SUNY Distinguished Professorship.
The prestigious honor is conferred upon faculty who have achieved national or international prominence and a distinguished reputation within the individual’s chosen field through significant contributions to research and scholarship, or through artistic performance or achievement in the fine and performing arts. Oberg is a leading international authority on the intersection of colonial English and Native American societies. He has published six books and is under contract for two more in addition to a variety of seminal articles and other publications. He is a master ethnohistorian, who mines the scarce historical record for Native American voices, breaking new ground in much of his published work.
“One of the highest honors we have as a Board of Trustees is to recognize SUNY’s leading faculty with one of our distinguished faculty rankings,” said SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “These professors are innovators and trailblazers in their chosen field, teaching and mentoring students while advancing groundbreaking research and discovery in New York’s communities as well as world-wide.”
Oberg has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 1998. From 2005-08, he was the James and Julia Lockhart Supported Professor at Geneseo. In 2013, he received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activities and in 2003 the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In the spring of 2014, he was the McLellan Visiting Distinguished Professor of North Country History and Culture at SUNY-Plattsburgh.
"It's an immense honor to even be nominated for this award,” said Oberg. “I could not have done it without the many talented students who have pushed me, as well as my fantastic colleagues. Geneseo's history department has such high standards for teaching and scholarship that it really is an environment conducive to doing good work. I have had more than my share of good luck -- great colleagues, wonderful opportunities to conduct research, and a college where I could not be happier to work."
Oberg’s upcoming work, “Peacemakers,” a history of the Treaty of Canandaigua, will appear in the summer of 2015. He is doing historical research for a native American community in North Carolina confronting centuries of violence, diaspora and dispossession and is to complete a second edition of his college textbook, “Native America: A History,” by the end of next year.
“This is a magnificent and well-deserved honor for Dr. Oberg and I congratulate him for the accomplishment,” said SUNY Geneseo Interim President Carol S. Long. “His prolific research and writing have made significant contributions to his field and have elevated the standards of scholarship in Native American history and beyond. Geneseo is lucky to have him on our faculty.”
Others from Geneseo receiving Distinguished Professorships over the years were David Meisel (physics) in 2001; Robert Beason (biology) in 1999; Rita Gollin (English); Srinivasa Leelama (mathematics), both in 1995; and the late Walter Harding (English), in 1969.
In addition, 46 Geneseo faculty members have received either a Distinguished Teaching Professorship or Distinguished Service Professorship since 1973.
“The SUNY distinguished faculty bring students the best of SUNY – quality teaching and instruction, innovative research opportunities, and engaging community service,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “ We are proud to recognize the leadership of our distinguished faculty and the extraordinary impact they have on SUNY students and campus communities.”
Oberg earned his doctorate from Syracuse University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California State University.