Published Sep 26, 2023 in UT News:
Paul Woodruff, renowned classicist and philosopher and inaugural dean of undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin, died this past weekend at the age of 80. He was the author, editor or translator of more than 20 books, an innovator in undergraduate education, and an award-winning teacher. He leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Lucia Woodruff, their daughters Rachel and Katherine, and six grandchildren.
Woodruff retired from the University as a professor of philosophy in 2022 and continued guest lecturing and working with graduate students on a translation project, culminating in a total of 50 years of teaching. He was writing until the end of his life, with his latest book, “Living Toward Virtue,” published by Oxford University Press in December of 2022. His final book, “Surviving Technology,” is expected to release later this year. On Sept. 7, he wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post about the necessity of seeing friends in person rather than on Zoom, especially as his death loomed close.
“They are right to come in person,” he wrote. “In actual presence, they can hold my hand, stroke my brow. At the end of my life, if they were trying to see me through the internet, they would fail. That dying thing will not be me. I am who I am through my actions, and dying is not an action. It is a happening. At the end, I will have no comfort in being observed. At the end, I cannot be seen. I want to be touched.”
Woodruff was revered as a teacher, winning numerous teaching awards throughout his career, including the Harry Ransom Teaching Award, selection as a member of the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers, the Chad Oliver Teaching Award in Plan II, and the President’s Associates Award for Teaching. His other honors include the Civitatis Award, which is bestowed by the president of UT for outstanding faculty citizenship, and the Pro Bene Meritis Award, which is the highest conferred by the College of Liberal Arts.
Read more: UT Mourns Classicist, Philosopher and University Leader Paul Woodruff
