UA Anthropology Faculty Couple Donate Land To Endow Dellinger Scholarship

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Since Margaret J. (Peggy) and Michael P. (Mike) Hoffman arrived in at the University of Arkansas in 1964, they have found the Arkansas tag line, "The Land of Opportunity," to be a reality. Because of this opportunity, the Hoffmans, outstanding members of the UA anthropology faculty, have been able to donate a substantial portion of a 40-acre tract of land in Washington County to the University of Arkansas to endow the current Samuel C. Dellinger Award in the department of anthropology.

The Hoffman’s have sold the other portion of the tract to the University of Arkansas in a gift/sale transaction known as a "bargain sale." The Hoffmans will benefit in that they will receive an income tax deduction for the gift portion of the transaction that will more than offset capital gains on the sale portion.

The award will become the Samuel C. Dellinger and Margaret J. and Michael P. Hoffman Endowed Scholarship. It was not endowed previously and has been supported annually by Fayetteville radiologist James Cherry. Dellinger was instrumental in the study of anthropology at the University and the development of the University Museum. In addition to their land donation, the Hoffmans have named the scholarship as the residual beneficiary of their retirement accounts.

The University will sell the land and use the net proceeds, estimated at approximately $20,000, to place in the endowed scholarship. The amount to be awarded to each student is to be determined.

Peggy Hoffman said, "We have enjoyed our time at the University of Arkansas. The words we saw on the Arkansas license plates, 'The Land of Opportunity,’ when we came here, certainly turned out to be true for us, and we decided it was time to give something back."

Mike Hoffman said, "We’ve taught several generations of students and would like to continue to do something for students. We hope that others will want to contribute to the scholarship so that the endowment will continue to increase. The University has provided us with a rich and rewarding atmosphere in which to teach and conduct our research. This was just a way to leave the campus with something positive." Peggy Hoffman became assistant professor emerita on May 23 of this year. Mike Hoffman will become professor emeritus on June 30, 2000.

Mary Jo Schneider, professor and chair of the UA department of anthropology, said, "When we think of the University of Arkansas anthropology department, the first thing that comes to mind is Peggy and Mike. Former students are always asking about them. They have touched so many lives. This gift is a wonderful tribute to their work and the department. We hope they will continue to work with the students as much as they want."

UA Chancellor John White said, "The Hoffmans have played an important role in the development of academic excellence in the department of anthropology. We are very grateful to these two fine faculty members for thinking about the future of the University of Arkansas. Their gifts support our goal of increasing our endowment as well as increasing the quality and quantity of students."

Dellinger, who died in 1973, received a bachelor’s of arts degree in zoology from Trinity College (now Duke University) and a master’s degree in zoology from Columbia University in 1917. He joined the University of Arkansas in 1921. In 1925, he became a professor as well as curator of the University Museum. He held the zoology and museum positions for more than three decades and is widely regarded as the "father" of the museum. Under his direction, the museum became the state’s primary natural science museum and best known for its Arkansas archeological collections. Dellinger also influenced several decades of Arkansas physicians and dentists because he advised the students in the premedical and predental programs. His papers are in the special collections of the University Libraries.

Mike Hoffman earned his bachelor’s of arts degree with honors in anthropology from the University of Illinois in 1959 and his doctorate in anthropology in 1971 from Harvard University with a specialization in archeology. He joined the University in 1964 and became a professor of anthropology in 1981. He served as chair of the department of anthropology from 1972 to 1978 and in the spring of 1991 and 1992. He also has been curator of anthropology at the University Museum since 1976 and a research associate since 1964.

His area of projects and interests include the prehistory and ethnology of Southeastern Indians and contemporary U.S. Indians; the Quapaw and Tunica tribes; Mississippi Period adaptations in the Arkansas River Valley, northeastern Arkansas and the Ozarks; and the history of archeology in Arkansas. He has authored of over 60 publications, organized 14 exhibitions and received numerous grants.

Mike Hoffman received the Burlington Northern Foundation Award for teaching in 1991.

Other awards and honors include the UA Outstanding Faculty-Scholar, Master Teacher Award from Fulbright College in 1991 and 1999, UA Teaching Academy in 1991, Woodrow Wilson Fellow, Harvard University Fellowships, National Science Foundation Summer Research Fellow, American Anthropological Association Visiting Lecturer, and the Education Award from Oklahoma Cherokee Tribe.

Peggy Hoffman earned her bachelor’s of arts degree in anthropology with honors in 1962 from the University of Illinois. She came to the University in 1964 as a graduate student in anthropology. She received her master’s of science degree in textiles from the University of Arkansas in 1978. She became an associate curator of the University Museum in 1979 and assistant professor of anthropology in 1981. As an assistant professor, she was responsible for the master’s program in museum studies.

At the museum, she also served as curator of collections and conservator. As associate curator, she developed the museum’s preservation and conservation programs, including a phased management program for archaeological holdings and for historical and ethnographic holdings. She developed the volunteer program and a safety/security program for the museum. She has also provided collections management and conservation consulting to numerous museums around the state.

Her area of research and teaching is in museology, conservation and prehistoric and historic textiles. She previously served two internships in Smithsonian Institution’s conservation laboratories, studying conservation of museum specimens. In 1984-85, she was named outstanding museum staff member in Arkansas by the Arkansas Museum Association. She is the author of over 35 publications and reports and curator of 21 major exhibits.

Since 1991, Peggy Hoffman has provided consulting in the conservation assessment program for the National Institute for Conservation, a federally funded agency. In her retirement, she will continue this work for a wide variety of museums around the country.

Mike Hoffman is currently involved with the issue of Native American repatriation of burials and objects. He is active with NAGPRA (Native America Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) where he works closely with Native Americans. He will continue this effort in his retirement as well as advise doctoral students and teach a class in the spring of 2001.

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