The Department of Sociology regularly holds the Kaspar Naegele Memorial Lecture in honour of Kaspar Naegele, the first Dean of the Faculty of Arts and a leading sociologist of his day.
Naegele was a co-editor of Theories of Society: Foundations of Modern Sociological Theory, a collection of classical readings in sociological theory. In 1961 he also co-edited the first Canadian collection of sociological articles in the book Canadian Society: Sociological Perspectives. The accumulated royalties from that book were endowed, and the earnings continue to fund the Kaspar Naegele Memorial Lecture
About Kaspar Naegele

Kaspar D. Naegele, 1963. University of British Columbia – Archives.
Kaspar David Naegele was born in Stuttgart, Germany. He completed his undergraduate degree at McGill University, his master’s degree at Columbia University in 1947 and his doctorate at Harvard University in 1952. He began his teaching career at Harvard, then served as Assistant Professor at the University of New Brunswick. He joined the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of British Columbia in 1954 and rose to the rank of Professor by 1963. He spent a year as a Visiting Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Oslo. He became a member of the UBC Senate in September 1963, and on April 1, 1964, he assumed the office of Dean of the Faculty of Arts as the first person to serve in the position.
His work in Sociology became known in many countries and guarantees his scholarly reputation. But it is as a teacher that he most remembered at UBC. His lectures were carefully prepared and clearly spoken. Both inside the classroom and out, he showed an unusual compassion for and understanding of his fellow men. Students are quick to sense these qualities and for some years he was ranked with the most respected and popular of professors. Among the most impressive tributes paid to him have been those by students, in private as well as in public. To be beloved by his students is the professor’s highest goal.
Professor Naegele’s Legacy at UBC
The Kaspar Naegele Memorial Prize in Sociology and the Kaspar Naegele Memorial Lectureship celebrate Kaspar Naegele’s profound impact on the lives and careers of his students and colleagues during his time at the University of British Columbia.
Professor Naegele joined UBC in 1954, and his work in the following decade earned him a global reputation as a leading sociologist. When he was appointed the first Dean of the Faculty of Arts in 1964, Professor Naegele put his ideas about education reform into practice. Considering his wealth of achievements at UBC, he is most fondly remembered for his teaching.
Beyond delivering lectures, Professor Naegele showed compassion for his students and was one of the most valued professors. We hope to continue growing the endowments for this lecture and the student award that honours Professor Naegele.
Gifts to these funds can be made by visiting the links below: