Three Pomona College faculty members were appointed to endowed professorships in May by a vote of the college’s Board of Trustees. All three are recipients of Pomona College’s highest faculty award, the Wiig Distinguished Professor Award for Distinguished Teaching and Service. “Endowed professorships are where the vision and values of the college meet with the generosity of donors who care deeply about higher education and Pomona College,” said Y. Melanie Wu, the college’s vice president for academic affairs and dean.
“An endowed chair represents recognition of senior status in one’s field, both within the university and the broader academic community,” says Pierre Engelbart, the university’s associate dean.
Rachel Levin, professor of biology and neuroscience, is currently the William A. Hilton Professor of Zoology, formerly held by the late Jonathan Wright. She joined the university in 1991. Levin’s research focuses on animal language and sexual behavior, with a special emphasis on birds, and biological influences on the development of gender identity. She is deeply involved in promoting disability awareness on campus and is known for making students feel welcome and accepted. She also serves as the Dean of Women.
“Levin is an incredible lecturer who provides important and memorable examples of ecology and animal behavior,” said one student who wrote in her Wigg Award nomination. “Her experiments are based on scientific inquiry and the skill of asking new and important ecological questions. She is also an incredibly kind person who promotes inclusivity and flexibility in the classroom.”
April Mays (Class of 1994), professor of history and coordinator of Latin American studies, has been appointed to the Warren Finney Day Professorship of History, a position previously held by Helena Wall, professor emeritus of history. Mays is a historian of the Caribbean, particularly the Dominican Republic. She joined the Pomona College faculty in 2006. Her research focuses on feminism, race, gender, health, and other social issues in the Caribbean and throughout the Latin American world.
Many students consider Mays a mentor. “Professor Mays is one of the most incredible teachers I’ve ever met,” wrote one student who nominated her for the Whig Award. “She has a gift for uncovering and challenging the ideology that underpins policy. In her classes, you learn not only disciplinary skills, but also how to critique them and present new worldviews.” Mays also serves as an associate dean for the college.
Physics professor Thomas Moore, who arrived at Pomona in 1987, currently holds the title of Reuben C. and Eleanor Winslow Memorial Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, a title previously held by Kim Bruce, now professor emeritus of computer science. Moore teaches courses in areas such as general relativity and the foundations of modern physics. His areas of expertise include gravitational waves, science and religion, and physics education.
Students noted Moore’s exceptional teaching skills with comments such as, “He finds ways to make difficult material easy to understand while encouraging students to deeply understand the concepts.” Another student wrote in his Whigg recommendation, “Professor Moore is everything you’d want in a professor: extremely knowledgeable, cares deeply about pedagogy, and is a fascinating person.” A third student added, “He always makes students feel supported and engaged.”
“These appointments recognize and celebrate these individuals’ success in scholarship, intellectual leadership, and service to the university and the community,” Wu said. “They are dedicated teachers and leaders who have made significant contributions to the university through their years of service.”
