from the Hobart website:

John Loftus
Professor Emeritus of Art 1967-1995

Professor Emeritus John Loftus has described himself as “buoyant malcontent”—a man at odds with the world around him yet still productive. However, John's teacher and legendary painter, Hans Hoffman, understood his former pupil in a different way. He saw a novice painter who persevered despite his surroundings, and recognized in him an artist with a unique vision who faced the world courageously. In 1940, he entered Southern Illinois University, studying history and philosophy. John had completed his sophomore year when his studies were interrupted by a call to service in the United States Army. He served in the Signal Corps in New Guinea and the Philippines. He later returned to SIU and graduated in 1946. His experiences as an art educator include the Calhoun School, the University of Colorado and Ohio State University, where he was co-chairman of the Studio Humanities area. He spent 1963 to 1967 at the Philadelphia College of Art, then was recruited to become head of the art department at Hobart and William Smith. At the Colleges, John taught studio art and art history. In addition to the long-lived, perennial Color and Composition, he was the instructor for various painting and drawing classes, designed for budding artists and non-art majors alike. He stepped down as department head in 1973 but continued on as a professor at the Colleges until 1995.

In 1991, the Colleges celebrated Loftus and his work with a show at the Field House Gallery, “John Loftus at 70.” Today, we honor the man, the artist, the “buoyant malcontent” and teacher yet again with the Distinguished Faculty Award.