Emil T. Hofman, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Hofman's scientific research was in chelating polymers, an area in which he directed many dissertations and published several articles.

At one time as many as one thousand freshmen a year took his course in general chemistry. It is estimated that during his teaching career he has taught more than thirty-two thousand students, including thousands who are now physicians, engineers and scientists. In 1963 he was selected the first recipient of the Thomas P. Madden Award for excellence in teaching freshmen.

While dean of the Freshman Year of Studies, Dr. Hofman oversaw a major revision of the first year curriculum and organized a counseling program that has reduced total attrition in the freshman year to less than one percent.

During his career at Notre Dame, Dr. Hofman received the Presidential Service Citation, The Father Shilts Award for teaching in the College of Science, and the James Armstrong Award of the Alumni Association. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education identified him as one of the top ten professors in the United States in 1985. A scholarship fund and lecture series at Notre Dame carry his name. After his retirement in 1990 he received an honorary doctor of science degree. In 1997, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry established an annual award in his honor named "The Emil T. Hofman Graduate Teaching Award in Recognition of Excellent Teaching by a Teaching Assistant in the First Year Program."

At the completion of the renovation of the Main Building in 1999, a Wall of Honor was erected. The Wall honors the Acertain exceptional men and women whose contributions to Notre Dame are lasting, pervasive and profound. Twenty men and women were selected to be included in the initial group of honorees. Among the initial group are Father Badin, Father Sorin, Father Nieuwland, Father Hesburgh, Knute Rockne, Frank O'Malley and Emil T. Hofman. Of the twenty initial honorees, only four are still living and only two - Father Hesburgh and Emil Hofman - are still active on the Notre Dame Campus.