Faculty Remembrances
Here we share tributes, recollections, and reflections on the lives of those 乐播传媒 colleagues聽 recently lost. These may be memorial minutes or more in-depth remembrances of our colleagues. These passages contain respectful recognition of their contributions to knowledge and liberal arts education along with fond acknowledgement of ways they cultivated love of learning and stewardship of their communities beyond 乐播传媒. While retirement is the occasion for loss of daily contact, faculty and staff with whom we have taught, served, debated, and shared challenging as well as proud moments in the life of the College remain in our memories.
If you wish to submit a remembrance, please email Mary Meserve (mmeserve @ bates.edu).
2026
Martin E. Andrucki (2026)
“Students and colleagues loved and admired Martin. Probably no other professor has been so often quoted, imitated in skits or remembered as legendary while still alive.” Read the full remembrance
2024
Gene Clough (2024)
鈥�Gene Clough taught me how to be curious,鈥� said Noah Petro 鈥�01. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 look at an image of data from the moon, especially the far side that he loved so much, without channeling his passion and curiosity.鈥� Read the full remembrance
Sue E. Houchins (2024)
“A brilliant scholar, champion of critical inquiry and academic freedom, and a gifted teacher praised for a 鈥渟oaring intellect matched only by her kindness.鈥� Read the full remembrance
Pamela Johnson (2024)
Pamela, 鈥� provided instruction not only on 鈥渉ow best to mix paint on a palette,鈥� but also, more broadly, on how to 鈥渓ead a creative life.鈥� Read the full remembrance
George Ruff (2024)
“Physics may be defined as the study of two fundamental constituents, matter and energy, and the interactions between them. This characterization applies equally to the career of esteemed colleague George Ruff, who has applied tremendous personal energy to interactions that matter, namely, those that have educated scores of 乐播传媒 students and inspired his colleagues.” Read remarks on the occasion of his retirement. Read his obituary.
2020
Jim Boyles – Professor Emeritus of Chemistry (2020)
鈥淎 counselor to those exploring careers in the sciences, a patient and encouraging teacher, and an active scholar and community citizen鈥� Read the full remembrance
Don Lent – Dana Professor Emeritus of Art (2020)
鈥淗e was a true educator 鈥� dedicated to quietly helping each of us develop our own artistic expressions and expand our knowledge and experience.鈥� Read the full remembrance
Tina Malcolmson – Professor of English – (2020)
鈥淭o 鈥榟appily disagree鈥� was the mark of Tina鈥檚 vivacity and intellect 鈥� a strength of her scholarship 鈥� and one of the many traits that [we] will sorely miss.鈥� Lillian Nayder’s remembrance of Tina.
Joyce Seligman – Lecturer Emerita in Writing (2020)
鈥淚n her tireless advocacy of writing as an essential skill of an educated person and in her celebration of the sheer joy of writing, [Joyce] has helped us chart this course for future generations of 乐播传媒 students.鈥� Read the full remembrance
2019
Carl Straub – Dean Emeritus of the Faculty, Professor Emeritus of Religion, and Clark A. Griffith Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies (2019)
鈥淐arl was a pivotal figure in shaping the academic character of the 乐播传媒 we inhabit today. He was adventurous, interdisciplinary, and, to borrow a phrase he used nearly 55 years ago, a leader with 鈥榓n audacious spirit of experimentation.鈥欌�� Carl Benton Straub, professor and dean with a pivotal effect on 乐播传媒 . . .
2018
Craig Decker – Professor of German and European Studies (2018)
“Throughout his years at 乐播传媒 College, Craig remained true to his undergraduate motto. He never sought either 鈥渢he victory of (his) work or even its acknowledgment.鈥� He stolidly defended what he thought was true and just, and that is how he will be remembered by his friends, colleagues, and students.” Read the full remembrance