Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News

Charles Postel with his book "The Populist Vision" in the union Nov. 5. [Click to enlarge]

Charles Postel won a The Presidents Award for Research and Creativity. Charles Postel in the Orchard suite with President Alexander Gonzalez Nov. 5. [Click to enlarge]

Charles Postel, assistant history professor, received the President's Award for Research and Creative Activity for his first published book "The Populist Vision."

Postel described his book as "a rewriting" of what is believed of the Populist Party, a short-lived political party that began in the early 19th century.

The ceremony program said the award is given to a Sacramento State faculty member who has "made significant contributions" to his or her subject within the last five years "through scholarly activity, research and publication, or creative and artistic endeavors."

"I nominated professor Postel for the President's RCA Award and I am so very pleased that he was selected for this honor," said history professor Chloe Burke.

Elaine O'Brien was a member of the subcommittee which chose Postel's book for the award.

"Professor Postel had impressive competition for the President's Award this year, but his book, 'The Populist Vision,' is a work of truly rare, discipline changing, originality," she said.

The President's Award is only one of the three prestigious awards Postel has won since the book's publication in 2007. "The Populist Vision" received the 2008 Fredrick Jackson Turner Award, awarded to a historian's first publication, and the 2008 Bancroft Prize, awarded to work demonstrating exceptional scholarly merit.

To receive either award is considered an enormous honor; to receive both in the same year has only been achieved twice in the past.

"When I read about this achievement, it blew me away. It's truly superlative," President Alexander Gonzalez said.

At the ceremony Postel delivered his lecture, "The Populist Legacy in the Light of the Financial Meltdown." Postel explained how the Populist Party responded to the financial havoc of its time and how its ideas influenced the politics we see today.

"I thought it was wonderful. I cut a meeting short so I could be here," said David Wagner, vice president of Human Resources.

Amidst the recognition and praise, Postel remained humble.

"I'm thrilled and very honored. It's a very nice thing to be recognized by my colleagues," he said.

Kyrie Eberhart can be reached at keberhart@statehornet.com

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