University mourns Ellery Golos, founder of the Honors Tutorial College and emeritus professor
Photo courtesy of: Ohio University LibrariesEllery Golos
Former Ohio University math professor, honorary alumnus and founder of the OHIO Honors Tutorial College Ellery Golos passed away on Jan. 12, 2019.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Ellery Golos, a true pioneer of education and founder of a major Ohio University hallmark, the Honors Tutorial College,” said OHIO President M. Duane Nellis. “Professor Golos formed close bonds with both his students and colleagues during his 40 years at this institution.”
“Ellery’s legacy and passion for learning will live on,” President Nellis added. “The University offers its condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”
Born Ellery Bernard Golos on Sept. 27, 1926, to Ida and Phil Golos in Elmira, New York, Golos served the country in many roles before joining Ohio University. He enlisted in the Navy Air Force at age 17 and served in World War II until 1945.
In college, he had a passion for mathematics and philosophy, earning a master’s degree in each. Upon graduation, he was hired at OHIO where he worked as a math professor for 40 years. In 1970, he submitted a proposal that became the Honors Tutorial College (HTC), and he served as HTC dean until 1977. He and his wife, Lilia Golos, spent 40 years in Athens before moving to Minnesota.
In 2012, the Ellery Golos Lecture series was created in his honor. Golos was also an emeritus professor of mathematics and was named director emeritus in 1988 and an honorary HTC alumnus in 2000.
Dr. Cary Frith, interim dean of the HTC, said the college is modeled after the tutorial method of pedagogy used in British universities, most notably Oxford and Cambridge. OHIO’s Honors Tutorial College is the only degree-granting college in the country that incorporates all the essential features of the English tutorial system.
“Ellery convinced the OHIO leadership of a tutorial education’s power to challenge high-achieving undergraduates and enrich faculty members’ teaching and mentorship,” Frith explained. “Because of his vision, more than 2,000 HTC alumni have matriculated to top graduate and professional schools and attained leadership roles in the for-profit and non-profit sectors. Many of them were first-generation college students who found their scholarly and professional passions sitting across the desk from their faculty tutors.”
Golos, who was known for his wit, banter and homemade pizza, was also an author of two math texts. Additionally, he was an artist who created more than 100 paintings.
A private memorial service was held in Minnesota on Jan. 20, 2019.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in name to The Ohio University Foundation, designated for either the Ellery Golos Lecture Fund or for the Honors Tutorial College Endowed Scholarship Fund, and mailed along with a note in memory of Ellery Golos to P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701 or online at www.ohio.edu/give.