Fond Farewells to Visiting Faculty

The 2011-2012 academic year was unprecedented in several ways, but for chemists, it will probably go down in history as the Year of the Visiting Faculty. Our visitors included two newcomers, Monica Villa (left) as department associate and Mellisa Galloway (not shown) as visiting assistant professor, and also two second-year faculty, Luc Boisvert (center) and Danielle Cass (right), both visiting assistant professors.

2012 May 17 Monica Luc Danielle SMALL.jpg

Fortunately for us and our many students, our visitors were enthusiastic about chemistry, flexible when it came to dealing with administrative chaos, and downright brilliant in the lab and classroom. The modest "thank you" cards and gifts that we pushed into their hands during our end-of-year department lunch on May 17 (see photo) can't begin to convey our gratitude. Thank you, one and all. We won't forget you.

And for those who are curious as to how our normally well-organized department found itself with so many visitors, here's a capsule summary …

Back in 2009 we realized that four faculty were expecting to take sabbaticals during 2010-2012. These included both biochemists, Arthur Glasfeld and Ron McClard, as well as both organic chemists, Pat McDougal and Alan Shusterman. Therefore, the department set about hiring two visitors, Danielle and Luc, who could fill in for two years each and replace the biochemists and organikers, respectively.

But then new wrinkles appeared. Julie Fry, our environmental chemist, became eligible for a junior leave and sabbatical in 2011-2012, and Melissa was hired as her replacement. Then, as the summer of 2011 approached, Danielle informed us that she was expecting a baby girl in October 2011. Another replacement would be needed. On top of that, Pat was asked to become the Acting Dean of the Faculty. Even more help would be needed. It was too late to hire anyone else so faculty were reassigned in creative ways. Wendy Breyer was also asked to become a professor for one year and Monica was hired as her replacement.

It should be pointed out that the phrase, "reassigned in creative ways," doesn't even begin to express the many staffing changes that needed to be made. Arthur, Dan Gerrity, Maggie Geselbracht, and Wendy, as the "old-timers," shouldered an incredible burden, but they steered the department through rocky waters and never lost their way. Next year will be different. With the exception of Pat, who is staying in the Dean's office for another year, we can expect a nearly normal line-up:

  • Intro. Chem – Maggie Geselbracht (101), Julie Fry (101), Arthur Glasfeld (102), with Wendy Breyer (101/102 labs)
  • Organic Chem – Alan Shusterman (201), visiting assistant professor Aaron Nilsen (202)
  • Inorganic Chem – Maggie
  • Analytical Chem – Ron McClard, Dan Gerrity
  • Physical Chem – Dan
  • Biochem – Arthur (391), Ron (392, 394)
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