Joel Schneider M.A. ’65, Ph.D. ’68
is vice president of education and research at Sesame Workshop (formerly Children’s Television Workshop). He leads the group that outlines the sound educational philosophies underlying the workshop’s wide range of products and services. Schneider has also directed the content for a variety of specific programs, including Square One TV and Risky Numbers, and he continues to participate in new show development with projects such as a binational Chinese/English planetarium show and an international program of public service campaigns for children on health and nutrition.
Schneider distinguished himself early at the UO by earning a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in 1964. Gary Seitz, associate dean of the natural sciences, remembers Schneider as a former graduate school classmate in the Department of Mathematics and says that he is delighted Joel is being honored with this award. “Joel’s contributions to mathematics span an enormous range, from his early research work in abstract algebra, an area of pure mathematics, to his ongoing work in mathematics education.”
Schneider has taught mathematics at all school levels and is co-author of an innovative elementary school mathematics curriculum. He currently serves as an adjunct professor in Mathematics, Science and Technology for the Teachers College of Columbia University and remains active as a lecturer and scholar in his field with memberships in the American Mathematical Society, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the Mathematical Association of America. The Joint Policy Board for Mathematics, representing the three major professional societies for mathematics, recognized Schneider’s work with their annual Communications Award in 1993.
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Yoko McClain ’56, M.A. ’67
is the first professor emerita of the University of Oregon to also receive a College of Arts and Sciences alumni fellowship. A native to Tokyo, she came to Eugene to attend the university in 1952 as a recipient of the FARIOA (Government Aid for Relief in Occupied Areas), which is now called the Fulbright Commission. She earned a B.A. in French and an M.A. in Comparative Literature and promptly joined the faculty to teach Japanese after earning her degree.
Wendy Larson, associate dean of the humanities and professor of East Asian languages and literature, studied under McClain as an undergraduate in the early seventies. She says that, as a teacher and colleague, McClain has directed and inspired her throughout her career: “Yoko has provided a model of gentle perseverance, warm intelligence, and calm reason that often has sprung to my mind and guided me.”
McClain’s teaching career in the Department of East Asian Language and Literature spanned thirty years (1964-1994). During that time, she distinguished herself with her many publications on Japanese language, literature and culture. Interestingly, some of her studies have investigated the work of novelist Natsume Soseki, who was McClain’s maternal grandfather and whose literary fame earned him a place on Japan’s 1000-yen bill.
Victor L. Tomseth ’63,
former ambassador to Laos, began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal after he graduated with his degree in history from the university. Upon his return, he earned a masters degree in history at the University of Michigan and later joined the United States Foreign Service in August 1966. Fluent in French, Thai, Lao and Farsi, Tomseth has served at U.S. consulates and embassies in over six countries throughout his career—Thailand, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Laos—as well as with the department of State in Washington, D.C.
In 1979, he was one of fifty-two Americans held hostage for 444 days following the seizure of the U.S. Embassy by Islamic militants. After his release, Tomseth continued to pursue a distinguished career in foreign diplomacy, receiving a number of awards for his service. They include: the Department of State’s Award for Valor, the Wilbur J. Carr Award, and the American Foreign Service Association’s Award for outstanding contributions in the field of diplomacy. In 1993, he was nominated by President Clinton to be the United States Ambassador to Laos. Ambassador Tomseth also received the President’s Award for Meritorious Service and the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, which was presented by the King of Thailand for his contributions to U.S.-Thai relations.
Since retiring in 1996, Ambassador Tomseth has remained active in international affairs. He has served on task forces for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; advised the U.S. Mission to the United Nations on East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and consulted with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., supporting the U.S. Pacific Command’s military exercise program.
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