Agustín González Enciso has been in the classrooms of our University for more than three decades. Years in which he has also been Associate Dean of the School of Economics (1988-91), Vice President of the Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences (1991-97) or director of the department of History (1996-2002).

Last Friday, the School of Philosophy and Letters paid tribute to him; and, on the occasion of his farewell, the professor recalls his time at campus, where he arrived attracted by the idea of promoting the study of a Economics "with a human face":

 

When you arrived at the University, in 1987, you were already Full Professor, what was your previous career?

I studied Philosophy and Letters (1972), and got my PhD in History (1976) at the University of Valladolid, with Professor Luis Miguel Enciso. Then I did a long postdoctoral stay in the United States (Yale and Harvard), and back in Spain, I was Associate Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1980) and Full Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Murcia (1982).

 

How did you come to the University?

They were about to start the School of Economic Sciences and I had specialized in Economic History. They asked Professor Valentín Vázquez de Prada and he gave my name as a possible professor for that subject. The rest was simple: they called me at home and I liked the idea, so the whole family came to Pamplona.

 

What were your first impressions?

I found real concern for the students, very good personal relationships and a family atmosphere; the initiative staff and the participation of all was encouraged, with generous submission to work. On the other hand, the project of creating a School to promote the study of a "Economics with a human face", as its first Dean, Miguel Alfonso Martínez-Echevarría, said, seemed to me to be as wonderful as it was necessary.

 

After being Associate Dean in the School of Economics and Vice President, did those impressions change?

I soon realized that you had to do more than just give class, you had to be multitask . Participating in government positions gives you another perspective, because you see the general problems and that the University is a whole. You appreciate that others also think and have an opinion (usually better than your own) and you see that the best thing is to work as a team.

 

Then came another stage.

When I left the vice-rectorate, I tried to devote more time to the research (I had not abandoned the classes), but other things came along, such as the direction of the department of History, the high school of Sciences for the Family or a greater partnership in the high school business and Humanism. I was no longer just multitask, but multithink, because I needed very varied mental registers. But I learned and enjoyed it a lot. With that I could project history into other fields and provide historical explanations for current problems.

 

How do you value the interdisciplinary work?

The interdisciplinary aspect of Humanities is today essential to see more and in a different way. The work of these institutes was pioneering and, for me, highly enriching: it opened new perspectives and international doors (Italy, Latin America). At that time there was no ICS, nor were there double Degrees, so these institutes covered interdisciplinary activities, teaching and research . They represent a great added value for the University.

 

Where was research?

In spite of everything, I found time to do research and the pace grew. With the invaluable help of Professor Rafael Torres financial aid , we were looking for doctoral students, obtaining financial support and forming groups of research. The fruits were abundant: thesis conferences, congresses, papers...

 

What are your plans for the immediate future?

I am still in the board of trustees of the high school business and Humanism and I collaborate in the department of History, when I am asked to do so. Now I can do more research at Library Services and the project of research directed by Prof. Torres is still alive: the study "Mobilization of resources for war in the 18th century".