Vernon Bullough earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. He earned a master’s from the University of Chicago in 1951. He earned a doctorate in History of Medicine and Science from the University of Chicago in 1954. But he still wasn’t satisfied. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from California State University in 1981. Indeed, one of his books was on the history of California. That book was required for his nursing program and he was compelled to study it. One can only imagine how difficult that must have been for the faculty member who taught that class.
Often working with his wife, Bonnie, Vern Bullough was a renowned expert on sex and relationships. He authored and co-authored nearly 50 books and over 100 articles on the subject. He received many awards, including the Kinsey Award in 1995. Throughout his career, he lectured all over the world. He was always active in many areas of civil rights, especially for gays and ethnic minorities.
Vern Bullough became the Dean of Natural and Social Sciences at Buffalo State in 1980 and served for ten years. After that, he taught History at Buffalo State for three years and then returned to Southern California to California State at Northridge. One year later he moved to the University of Southern California. But he never completely left Buffalo State. In 2004 he received an honorary Doctorate here. He also gave back to Buffalo State. He donated more that 1,000 books to Butler Library.
Perhaps his most enduring legacy is the nine David V. Bullough Scholarships that he endowed. The Sociology Department administers one of these. This scholarship is named in memory of Vern’s son who was run down and killed by a taxi cab on the streets of Jerusalem in 1967. This award was his way of keeping his son’s memory alive. Now, after Vern’s death in 2006, the Sociology Department keeps his memory alive with this award.
2019-2020: Tiara Smiley
2018-2019: Spencer Cameron-Pressley
2017-2018: Patricia McGrady & Kristen Kyaw
2016-2017: Ariane Estrella
2015-2016: Ashanti Bryant
2014-2015: Sonja Lyles-Johnson
2013-2014: Lawrence J. Cole
2012-2013: Glenda Ruiz
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