ST. MARY’S CITY — St. Mary’s College of Maryland is bringing back Faculty Laurels, its public celebration of faculty research and creative work, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and starting a new tradition for the professors who hold its endowed chairs.
The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center and is free and open to the campus and the surrounding community, the college said. It doubles as the college’s November Community Hour and is part of the St. Mary’s Athenaeum, a series that brings campus and community together around ideas.
The centerpiece is recognition of the college’s seven current endowed chairholders. Provost and Dean of Faculty Katherine Gantz will introduce them, and President Rhonda Phillips will present each with a Provost’s Faculty Laurels pin they may wear with academic regalia. Former endowed chairholders will receive pins later, the college said.
“Our faculty are accomplished scholars and dedicated teachers whose research and creative work inform the classroom experience and contribute to conversations well beyond our campus,” Gantz said in a statement.
The honorees
Endowed chairs are positions funded by donor gifts that support a professor’s teaching and research, often for a set term. The seven being recognized:
- Asif Dowla, professor of economics, Hilda Combs Landers Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts, held since 2009.
- Cassie Gurbisz, associate professor of marine science, Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of Science.
- Chuck Holden, professor of history, George B. and Willma Reeves Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts.
- Angela Johnson, professor of educational studies, G. Thomas and Martha Myers Yeager Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts, held since 2018.
- Liz Leininger, associate professor of neuroscience, Aldom Plansoen Honors College Professor.
- Sarah Malena, associate professor of history, Aldom Plansoen Honors College Professor.
- Jessye McDowell, associate professor of art, Steven Muller Distinguished Professor of Art.
Talks for a general audience
Three honorees will give short “lightning round” talks on the work they submitted for recognition: Holden in history, Gurbisz in marine science and Leininger in neuroscience. The talks are designed for a general audience.
Through the evening, visitors can browse an exhibition of faculty publications and scholarly artifacts assembled by the college library, along with digital displays on participating faculty and their departments. Students in Phillips’ Presidential Leadership Cohort, an independent study course she teaches, will help host.
The recognition comes as the college leans on its academic reputation. St. Mary’s College, Maryland’s public honors college with about 1,650 students, recently ranked No. 6 among public liberal arts colleges, the Chronicle reported.
