Three Hamilton College faculty members have been promoted to the rank of professor. Acting on the recommendations of the departments of mathematics, psychology and English and the Committee on Appointments and with the approval of President Joan Hinde Stewart, Associate Professor of Mathematics Robert Kantrowitz, Associate Professor of Psychology Gregory Pierce and Associate Professor of English Edward Wheatley were promoted, retroactive to July 1.
Kantrowitz, who earned a master's and doctorate from Syracuse University, joined the Hamilton faculty in 1990. In his announcement of the promotions, Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty David Paris noted, "Professor Kantrowitz is widely recognized by both students and colleagues as a truly outstanding teacher who is equally at home in introductory courses and in supervising numerous presentations by his advanced students at the annual Hudson River Undergraduate Mathematics Conference. Students praise his endless patience in working with them during his seemingly endless office hours. A versatile scholar, he has published papers in the area of Banach Algebras and articles on teaching strategies in mathematics. He has done steady and worthy service to the College and currently serves as chair of the Committee on Appointments."
Pierce earned his Ph.D. in personality psychology from the University of Washington. He has published his work in numerous journals, including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Research in Personality and Personal Relationships. Paris wrote "Students have high praise for his teaching but also note his contact with them outside of his classes and his interest in their nonacademic endeavors. He is a prolific scholar with over three dozen publications to his credit in two different (supportive relationships and cognitive interference) research areas. In addition to his teaching and research, he has made many contributions to the college community, including serving for two and one-half years as Associate Dean of Students," Paris said.
Wheatley joined the Hamilton faculty in 1990. A specialist in medieval English literature, the study of drama and the uses of the Middle Ages in modern literature, he holds a doctorate from the University of Virginia. Paris wrote "He is a well-regarded scholar, testimony to which is the support of his research on medieval constructions of blindness by current grants from National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies. He has served on a number of college committees, including the Committee on Admission and Financial Aid and the Committee on Appointments. He is the author of Mastering Aesop: Medieval Education, Chaucer, and His Followers (2000), and several articles that have appeared in Studies in the Age of Chaucer and Studies in Philology.
