The UH System

Who We Are

Robert W. Clopton Award for Outstanding Service to the Community

Clopton Award Winner

Thomas Klobe, headshot

2003
Thomas Klobe

Thomas Klobe is director of the University of Hawai‘i Art Gallery and professor of art in the College of Arts and Humanities. Klobe has served as the gallery director since 1977 and teaches courses in art history, design, gallery management and museum interpretation.

The high level of excellence and professionalism that he practices with his students to implement the gallery’s exhibitions and catalogues have been acknowledged through professional awards in competitions sponsored by graphic and print trade organizations. Klobe’s influence on his students has been great. Many have received awards, internships and gone on to work at some of the country’s finest museums.

Klobe was instrumental in establishing and opening the State Foundation on Culture and the Art’s new Hawai‘i State Art Museum in the Historic No. 1 Capitol District Building. Since 1999, he has worked tirelessly to support the effort from visioning to the actual hands-on work in the galleries. He recognized early that the museum would strengthen the educational objectives of SFCA. He understood the museum would increase the general public’s physical and intellectual access to the state’s art collection, which would be a powerful source of education, enrichment and resource in the community.

The Robert W. Clopton Award for Outstanding Service to the Community recognizes a UH Manoa faculty member for playing a socially significant role by applying intellectual leadership and academic expertise to the improvement of the community. The award was established as a memorial to longtime Manoa College of Education Professor Robert Clopton and first awarded in 1977.

Select a recipient to learn more about that individual.