Lawrence University is mourning the passing of Minoo Adenwalla, a revered member of the government faculty for 43 years before retiring in 2002. Adenwalla, who continued to teach courses in retirement until 2023, died January 5, 2025, at age 97.
Initially hired to teach political theory, Adenwalla taught courses on Indian politics and nationalism, constitutional law, civil liberties, and the Supreme Court. He regularly taught First-Year Studies (then Freshman Studies) and he was among the Lawrence faculty who helped launch the London Centre program in the early 1970s.
“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of Minoo, a dedicated educator of our Lawrence students, whose unwavering commitment and passion has touched the hearts and minds of generations,” President Laurie A. Carter said. “His legacy of hard work, wisdom, and inspiration will forever be cherished in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Minoo’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
See an obituary for Minoo Adenwalla
Claudena Skran, Edwin & Ruth West Professor of Economics and Social Science and professor of government, applauded Adenwalla for his impact on generations of Lawrentians.
“Students who took Professor Adenwalla's courses appreciated his attention to detail, his efforts to improve their arguments, and the great care that he took in writing letters of recommendation,” Skran said. “As a faculty member, he was a supportive colleague and friend for many, and he helped connect students, faculty, and alumni through more than six decades. He will be greatly missed.”
Including his years teaching following his retirement, Adenwalla spent 64 years in Lawrence classrooms. He joined the Lawrence faculty in 1959. Drawing on his experience in the colonial and early post-colonial periods and on his doctoral work at Northwestern University, he brought to Lawrence a deep knowledge of both Eastern and Western traditions in political philosophy.
In 1991, he was awarded Lawrence’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Then-President Richard Warch said of Adenwalla: “In your every effort—from Freshman Studies to Constitutional Law, from the History of Political Thought to your seminars on Gandhi—you teach that every experience can instruct us in the practical science of politics. We salute you in all your personae: as Dr. Adenwalla feared for your provocative erudition, as political commentator on American life in The Commerce (Bombay’s equivalent to the Wall Street Journal), as an aristocratic Parsi known for your gentlemanly care and concern, and as an adviser and friend with reputation for both gracious advice and firm, paternal guidance.”
His influence in and out of the classroom—among students and fellow faculty—has been felt for generations. He was cited for his leadership among faculty, including service to the Tenure Committee and chairing the Government Department for many years.
“I’ve always been astounded by Minoo’s ability to recall and stay connected to his students,” Jason Brozek, Stephen Edward Scarff Professor of International Affairs and associate professor of government, told The Lawrentian in 2023. “He’s had multiple generations of Lawrentians in his classroom, and I swear he knows what every one of them is doing now. Building those sorts of personal bonds is something I aspire to as a professor.”
Eric Schacht ’90 was a student of Adenwalla’s and now serves as university counsel at his alma mater. He said he returned to Lawrence in part because of the influence of Adenwalla.
“Lawrence University has given me so much, and the primary reason I returned 32 years after graduating is so that I can be part of making the Lawrence experience as special and illuminating for today’s students as it was for me,” Schacht said. “No faculty member was more challenging and dedicated in providing that illumination to me than was Professor Minoo Adenwalla. Minoo dedicated his life and career to our amazing university—for thousands of students in hundreds of classes in eight different decades. For that, every Lawrentian past, present, and future should be grateful and inspired.”
Lawrence is planning a future celebration of Adenwalla’s life and career. Stay tuned for details.
The family is encouraging memorial gifts to the Minoo Adenwalla Professorship in the Social Sciences at Lawrence University. A giving form can be found here.
