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Whitman welcomes 12 new tenure-track professors

By Gillian Frew '11

Before the Class of 2016 arrives on campus, Whitman welcomes another incoming class to campus and to Walla Walla: 12 new tenure-track professors from a variety of disciplines will join the faculty for the 2012-2013 academic year.

“These new faculty members represent a remarkably talented and diverse group,” said Timothy Kaufman-Osborn, provost and dean of the faculty. “They hail from many of the best graduate programs in their fields, and many already have a fair amount of teaching experience.”

The college conducted searches for all 12 of these positions during the course of the last year, interviewing nearly 40 candidates. More than 80 current faculty members participated in search committees, according to Kaufman-Osborn. Whitman hired new faculty in 10 departments, including chemistry, politics, theatre, biology, art, economics, English, psychology, art history and visual culture studies and music.

“In virtually every case, we were able to hire our first choice candidates, which speaks very well of Whitman College and its reputation,” said Kaufman-Osborn.

The additions to the faculty reflect the “Now Is the Time” campaign goals, which include expanding the depth and breadth of the curriculum by strengthening the faculty.

When it comes to attracting top candidates to the college, Kaufman-Osborn said Whitman students are often a deciding factor.

“I give considerable credit to our students. Virtually without exception, candidates sing the praises of Whitman students for their intellectual vitality and their passion for this college.”

The following new faculty members will join the Whitman community this year: 

Division I: Social Sciences

Melisa S. L. Casumbal-Salazar, instructor of politics. B.A., Amherst College; M.A., (Political Science); M.A., (Asian Studies); A.B.D., University of Hawai`i, Mãnoa

Jennifer Cohen, instructor of economics. B.S., Florida State University; M.S., University of Arizona; M.A., A.B.D., University of Massachusetts.

Erin Pahlke, assistant professor of psychology. B.A., Wellesley College; M.A., Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin.

Division II: Humanities and Arts

Jessica A. Cerullo, assistant professor of theatre. B.A., Hofstra University; M.F.A., Naropa University

Nicole Pietrantoni, assistant professor of art.  B.S., Vanderbilt University; M.A., M.F.A., University of Iowa

Adam S. Gordon, assistant professor of English. B.A., University of Pennsylvania; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles.

Kristen Kosmas, assistant professor of theatre.  B.F.A., Boston University; M.F.A., Brooklyn College.

Lisa Marie Uddin, assistant professor of art history and visual culture studies. B.A., McGill University; M.A., Concordia University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Rochester.

Paul Luongo, assistant professor of music. B.M.E., Stetson University; M.M. (Historical Musicology); M.M. (Performance: Conducting), Ph.D., The Florida State University.

Richard Martinez, assistant professor of art. B.F.A., Southern Oregon University; M.F.A., University of California, Davis.

Division III: Basic Sciences and Mathematics

Nathan Boland, assistant professor of chemistry. B.A., Colby College; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University.

Arielle Marie Cooley, assistant professor of biology. B.A., Pomona College; Ph.D., Duke University

 

Published on May 23, 2012
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