��������ר�� will confer an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Robert V. Doggett, Jr. ’57, an accomplished NASA scientist, during the College’s 2024 Commencement ceremony.

Doggett graduated from RMC with a B.S. in mathematics and a minor in physics, and that same year embarked on a 38-year career with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and its superseding organization, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Working at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., Doggett conducted research on many aspects of structural dynamics, focusing on aeroelasticity. As a researcher and research manager, he was involved in studies of airplanes, launch vehicles, and rotorcraft. He conducted basic and applied research inquiries, studies supporting the development of new flight vehicles, and investigations to explain and solve unexpected aeroelastic problems that occurred during the operation of existing vehicles. His work had a creative bent; he is the co-holder of two patents on techniques useful in testing for aeroelastic divergence and the inventor of the spoiler passive flutter suppression system.

Doggett held several leadership and management positions throughout his career, most notably Head of the Flutter Section, Head of the Configuration Aeroelasticity Branch, and Assistant Chief of the Structural Dynamics Division. Throughout most of his career, he was closely associated with the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel, which is a unique national wind tunnel developed explicitly for aeroelastic studies. Doggett was also involved in the Apollo program and the development of the Space Shuttle. His work has been recognized by many awards, among them the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He remains connected to NASA as a Langley Distinguished Research Associate.

While many of his colleagues had graduate and doctoral degrees, Doggett’s successful career was made even more remarkable by the fact that his formal education included just his Bachelor of Science from ��������ר��, crediting his liberal arts foundation for the ability to acquire the skills to excel in a highly technical field.

Doggett has also had a significant impact on his alma mater through generous financial support. His philanthropy has created the Barbara S. Doggett French Fellowship Fund, the Barbara Sylvia Doggett Memorial Music Scholarship, the Robert & Hester Doggett Softball Endowment, and the Doggett Endowed Fund for Recognizing Scholarship and Stewardship of Student-Athletes, in addition to supporting several capital projects.

��Ѱ�’s Commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 26 at the Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza. Tickets are not required for the event, which will also be live streamed.

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Matt Gunn ’24, a mathematics and engineering double-major, recently earned First Prize for Best Undergraduate Presentation at the spring meeting of the ’s MD-DC-VA section, held at James Madison University.

Gunn’s presentation, entitled “Exploring Probabilities in Bingo and its Variations,” explored how many numbers must be called before a player can expect to get bingo, including scenarios with multiple boards, different patterns, and different-sized boards. He then compared the theoretical probability distributions to results obtained from a Python simulation.

“He found that the theoretical answers closely matched the simulations he set up with his excellent computer coding skills,” said RMC mathematics professor Chiru Bhattacharya, who served as Gunn’s advisor. “He received many excited questions from the audience at the MAA conference, all of which he answered very ably.”

“I am honored to receive this award,” Gunn said. “I am very appreciative of all the support from the mathematics department and specifically my advisor, Dr. Bhattacharya!”

The Mathematical Association of America is one of the largest professional societies devoted to mathematics in the world, focusing on research and teaching with a particular emphasis on mathematics at the undergraduate level. RMC students have won prizes for their research presentations at MAA conferences on several occasions, most recently Martha Hartt’ 20 for Best Undergraduate Presentation in 2019.

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RMC Softball—ranked 11th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 poll—will open its NCAA Tournament campaign against Eastern University on Thursday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m. in Salisbury, Md. The double-elimination Regional is rounded out by Salisbury University and Manhattanville.

The Yellow Jackets have compiled a 31-5-2 record in 2024, including a 20-2 mark in ODAC play. This is the program’s sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and seventh overall. RMC advanced to the Division III Championship Series in 2019 and made back-to-back Super Regional appearances in 2022 and 2023.

RMC Baseball—ranked 19th in the latest ABCA Coaches Poll—plays its opening round game against Elizabethtown in Middletown, Pa., on Friday, May 17; the first pitch time is to be announced. Penn State Harrisburg and Bridgewater State make up the other side of the double-elimination bracket.

The Yellow Jackets are 28-13, the fourth-highest win total in program history. RMC went 16-6 in ODAC competition, claiming the conference’s regular season championship. The Yellow Jackets will compete in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in program history, and for the first time in back-to-back seasons. RMC advanced to the Division III College World Series in 2018.

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“The Symposium is an opportunity for our community to celebrate the wide range of scholarship at ��������ר��,” said Kate Laws, a biology professor and Symposium Co-Chair.

The event featured 176 student presenters, including 32 students that presented multiple projects. For many students, this was an opportunity to give a poster presentation on research projects conducted throughout the semester.

Miriam Moreno-Alcala ’24 presented a poster for her international studies course titled How did we get here? U.S. Immigration Policy. An immigrant herself, Moreno-Alcala explored the path dependency of America immigration policy, highlighting how the history of policy decisions affected subsequent legislation.

“This means a lot to me because I was able to put into practice all the skills that I learned throughout my four years now that I’m a senior,” she said. “And it means a lot for my work to be able to be taken into consideration when it comes to research.”

Research from a variety of academic disciplines was on display in Payne Hall and Copley Science Center, from the sciences, to humanities, to nursing, and more. In addition to traditional poster presentations, RMC students shared their work in creative and interactive ways.

Some Honors students gave presentations on Japanese cuisine, while others displayed 3D-printed artifacts that represented interpretations of the female self in the works of Spanish playwright Frederico Garcia Lorca.

Elsewhere on campus, music students performed recitals for wind, percussion, and string instruments, physics students demonstrated the operation of a Tesla coil and the spectroscopy of different elements, and the Franklin Debating Society hosted an oratory competition.

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Kelsey Sullivan ’26, a sophomore from Hamilton, Virginia, competed at IHSA Nationals in Tryon, N.C., placing third in the Intermediate Over Fences Division. This is the third consecutive year that the Yellow Jackets have had a rider qualify for the national championship. With more than 400 IHSA teams across the U.S., this significant accomplishment once again places RMC among the top equestrian programs in the country.

“Kelsey maintained her composure in a huge venue among the best riders in the USA and put in a beautiful jump round,” said Equestrian Director and Head Coach John West. “There is so much to look forward to in this team with talent like this.”

Additionally, the Eventing team had 19 horse-and-rider partnerships traveled to Stable View Farm in Aiken, S.C. for the year-end USEA Intercollegiate Championships, competing against flagship universities from across the country. RMC was honored with the coveted Team Spirit Award.

“We came into this weekend knowing we have the best team spirit; it’s part of what we pride ourselves on. Every rider supports each other, regardless of level or how your ride went,” commented team president Julia Fugate ‘24. “Being recognized among teams that are 10 times our size speaks volumes about our members, our coach, and the parents that support us!”

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Andrew Anderson ’24 and Caroline Allen ’24 were each honored with Janet Harvey Trivette ’78 & W. Proctor Harvey, Jr. Endowed Student Award. The award was established in 2007 to honor alumna Janet Harvey Trivette ’78 and her brother W. Proctor Harvey, Jr. and celebrate their distinctive characteristics of compassion, generosity of spirit, and leadership.

Anderson, a communication studies and business double-major with a concentration in marketing, has been a leader in a wide range of areas across campus. A member of the team, Anderson serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as the outreach coordinator for the Green Bandana Project, a group whose mission is to prevent suicide by making mental health resources more readily available to all. He also performs as a member of the LUXE Show Choir, including serving as a talent recruiter for the group, and is a Leadership Fellow.

Grant Azdell, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, quoted Anderson’s nominator as he presented the award, saying, “He consistently demonstrates compassion, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. Whether it’s offering a helping hand to a struggling classmate or lending a listening ear to those in need, his kindness and generosity leave a lasting impact on those around him.”

Allen, a criminology and cybersecurity double-major with a psychology minor, has also exhibited extraordinary leadership in a variety of roles. In addition to being a member of the Honors program and the highly selective Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and a Leadership Fellow, Allen is the president of ��Ѱ�’s chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society, and the Criminology Interest Association. Outside of the classroom, Allen is a member of ��Ѱ�’s Equestrian team, the president of the student gaming club The Round Table, and serves as a student worker for the Information Technology Services office and the Department of Criminology.

Azdell again cited a nominator in praising Allen’s mentality, saying that she is “eager to learn and accepts challenges with excitement. She also strives to be a global citizen in that she understands inequalities and seeks to improve the human condition.”

Abu Waligo ’24 received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Anna O’Sullivan ‘25 received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award in recognition of spiritual qualities applied to daily living. The awards are supported by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation and honor the lives of the foundation founder and his wife. Recipients receive a bronze medallion.

Waligo is a computer science and economics double-major with a mathematics minor. In addition to being a Davis United World College Scholar as an international student from Eswatini, Waligo is a member of both the mathematics honor society Pi Mu Epsilon and the economics honor society Omicron Delta Epsilon. In his remarks, RMC President Robert R. Lindgren noted “as a member of the Black Cultural Society and the International Interest Group, he has played an integral role in fostering a sense of belonging and cultural celebration on campus.”

O’Sullivan is a business and communication studies double-major, with membership in the Honors program and Lambda Pi Eta, the communication association honor society. She also works three jobs on campus, including as a Leadership Fellows intern, a Brock Sports and Recreation assistant, and a Sports Medicine Training Room Assistant. Additionally, O’Sullivan is an active participant with the Green Bandana Project, SERVE, and as a Yellow Jacket Ambassador. President Lindgren quoted her nominator, saying “’her spiritual connection represents a fundamental belief that all people in this world are worthy of respect and love.’ She shows this faith in all that she does through her servant leadership.”

Executive Director of Alumni Relations Rhonda Toussaint ’85 was honored with the B.J. Seymour Award, named after the trailblazing professor emerita Betty Jean “B.J.” Seymour, who became ��Ѱ�’s first full-time female faculty member in 1971. The award honors an alumna who has consistently worked on behalf of issues important to women and girls, and who demonstrates vitality, integrity, and leadership.

In presenting the award, Abi Detrich ’24 said “her love for ��������ר�� shines through in every endeavor, whether it’s organizing alumni events, facilitating networking opportunities, or providing support to fellow alumni. Rhonda’s leadership and advocacy extend beyond her role, echoing the trailblazing spirit of the award’s namesake.”

The RMC charter of ODK was founded in 1933. Membership is awarded to elected undergraduate juniors and seniors whose cumulative grade point average places them in the top 35% of the RMC student population. Candidates must also demonstrate leadership in at least one of the five phases of campus life to be selected: scholarship; athletics; campus community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech, and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.

The following awards were also given during the ceremony:

ODK Circle Member of the Year (national award): Abi Detrich ‘24

Students of Excellence: Mel Davis ‘24 and Dayla Thorne ‘24

Outstanding Service to the SGA Award: Abi Detrich ‘24

Asbury Christian Award: Ailish Cole ‘27

Jewish Campus Life: Taylor Bennett ‘25

RMC Leadership (group): Multicultural Programming Board

Rodney Bardwell Service Award: SERVE Committee

Outstanding Student Event: Culturesgiving (Multicultural Programming Board)

Outstanding Organizational Advisor: Taylor Cox ‘22

Freshman Leadership: Victoria Seusankar ‘27

Sophomore Leadership: Taylor Collins ‘26

Junior Leadership: William Ryder ‘25

Outstanding Seniors: William Adair ’24, Abi Detrich ’24, Julia Fugate ’24, Brooke Pappaconstantinou ’24, Mina Ross ’24, and Abby Thompson ’24

RMC Leadership (individual): Lily Chapman ‘24

Darrell Headrick Service Award: Sarah Nelson ‘25

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Collegiate life is always a bittersweet cycle of hellos and goodbyes. In a few weeks, our class of 2024 will cross the stage for Commencement. Three weeks later, we will welcome the class of 2028 – our largest ever – for New Student Orientation. These consequential events – commencement and orientation – reflect perfectly the natural seasons of academic life.

Buoyed by the steadfast support of students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends, I believe ��������ר�� is stronger than ever and thriving as we head into this new year. At the same time, I also recognize that, like students, seasons of life drive my time at our beloved College.

And today, I believe the season has come for me to announce my decision to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 academic year, June 2025.

Cheryl and I brought our young family to charming Ashland and this beautiful campus 19 years ago and began what has become the most meaningful work of our lives. And we also found a family here. One with which we have become proudly and lovingly linked. It is a daily privilege and blessing to be part of this special community. As the world changes rapidly around us, the talented and dedicated people of RMC strive daily to deepen the ways in which we fulfill our mission to develop the mind and character of each of our students. They are true champions of student development.

Clearly, our students today have more opportunities to engage in a rich tapestry of educational and co- and extracurricular experiences than at any time in RMC history. Our superb and dedicated faculty and staff serve them with purpose, passion, and innovation and, together, create a remarkable community that serves each other. Our alumni and friends remain fantastically supportive of those endeavors. Their financial support has been stunning – and very consequential! This worldwide network of Yellow Jackets is our secret sauce and the envy of institutions like ours.

The College has much to do to sustain our strong foundation and build on our positive momentum. So, while I am announcing my farewell next year, it is not time to say that now. As such, you have my commitment for these next 14 months to remain laser focused on serving ��������ר�� and especially our students. As I promised the Board of Trustees this weekend, Cheryl and I intend to “run through the tape!”

Our Board of Trustees, led by our highly effective Chair, Sue Schick, will soon launch the presidential search, and Chair Schick will provide details about that important endeavor tomorrow. I believe we are well-poised to attract great candidates.

We say: “Up Close, Future Ready.” Indeed, it’s clear ��������ר�� is future ready. As we approach our College’s bicentennial, our brightest days are still ahead of us. I am positively bullish about what I see on the horizon for RMC.

And in the near term, those bright days here will be focused on these seasons: joyously celebrating our graduating seniors and enthusiastically welcoming new members of our community. I look forward to doing both with you.

Go Jackets!

Sincerely,

Bob Lindgren

Robert R. Lindgren
President
��������ר��
Ashland, Virginia

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Robert R. Lindgren has announced his plans to retire as President of ��������ר�� at the end of the academic year 2024-2025, concluding nearly 19 years of transformational service to the institution.

“Nearly 19 years ago, my wife, Cheryl, and I brought our young family to Ashland. And in doing so, we also found a family. It has been a profound honor to serve and be part of the ��������ר�� community,” Lindgren said. “As the world changes rapidly around us, the talented and dedicated people of RMC strive daily to deepen the ways in which we fulfill our mission to develop the mind and character of each of our students.”

Lindgren was inaugurated as ��������ר��’s 15^th president in 2006. He and his wife, Cheryl, quickly became fixtures in the community, and President Lindgren became known as “the students’ President” for his accessibility and interest in their well-being.

He led during a period of strategic transformation for this historic institution, during an era of extraordinary change. During his tenure, the College added 13 academic programs and majors, including a BSN and a M.A. in Physician Assistant Studies, and new sports and activities like , Equestrian, Show Choir, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, Esports and more. Enrollment has grown by 30 percent.

Thanks to the unwavering support of the College’s alumni and parents and friends, fundraising during Lindgren’s tenure exceeds $233 million and has consistently put ��������ר�� in the top 22 of all colleges and universities nationwide for percentage of alumni who support the institution. His legacy is perhaps most visibly shaped by the transformation of the physical campus in Ashland, which boasts 17 new or renovated buildings, all paid for with private support of more than $110 million.

“Our alumni and friends remain fantastically supportive of our endeavors,” Lindgren reflected. “Their financial support has been stunning—and very consequential! This worldwide network of Yellow Jackets is our secret sauce and the envy of institutions like ours.”

“President Lindgren’s tenure has been one of the most significant periods of leadership in ��������ר�� history,” reflected Board of Trustees Chair Sue Schick ‘84. “He has clearly been a transformational leader for RMC, while also deepening its commitment to our mission and to graduate success.”

The Board plans to have a new leader selected and installed for the 2025-2026 academic year.

As such, the Board of Trustees will immediately launch a search committee for ��Ѱ�’s next President, under the leadership of board members Dave Meleski ’81 as chair and Yvonne Brandon ’76 as vice chair.  The committee will also include members of the College community.

“Choosing our next leader is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and we take this endeavor seriously,” explained Schick. “The Board is committed to both a search grounded in our mission, inclusiveness, and transparency and a seamless transition to our new President when the time comes.”

Prior to joining ��������ר��, Lindgren made a significant impact on other institutions of higher education, serving as vice president for development and alumni relations at both The Johns Hopkins Institutions and at the University of Florida, where he organized and led three comprehensive campaigns leading to fund-raising records at the time.

Throughout his career, he has served on the boards of various local and national professional organizations, including periods as an officer of the Council of Independent Colleges and the Annapolis Group as well as a member of the NCAA Division III Council of Presidents and the CASE Board of Directors. In Virginia, he served as chair of the Council of Independent Colleges Virginia, chair of the Virginia United Methodist Conference’s Association of Educational Institutions, vice chair of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and a member of the Governor’s Higher Education Commission in 2010-12. His service to the greater Richmond community included the board of directors of both The Richmond Forum and the RVA Chamber of Commerce.

Lindgren earned both a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a juris doctor degree from the University of Florida as well master of philosophy in management studies from Oxford University. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Florida in 2012.  

He and his wife, Cheryl, are parents to three grown children and have two grandchildren, who are all part of the Yellow Jacket community. Their golden retriever Callie is also a popular Yellow Jacket.

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“This future-ready Yellow Jacket has evidenced her enduring commitment to community both in her engagement within the health services field and in her dedication to service,” said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Grant Azdell while presenting the award.

Ingargiola has made a difference in a wide range of roles on campus and beyond. Ingargiola volunteers at St. James the Less Free Clinic, whose mission is to provide free services for the medical, dental, podiatry, and eye care needs of Hanover County residents who are uninsured and low-income. She has volunteered both as a student coordinator managing scheduling and communications, and as a dental assistant. She plans to attend dental school after graduation and Dr. Thomas Hubbard ’75 and Susan Hubbard ’76, who established the St. James the Less Free Clinic and have mentored Alessia, were in attendance to celebrate Ingargiola’s award.

Ingargiola also acts as Head Ashland Public Relations Chair for events on the SERVE Committee supporting service events like The Big Event and Macon a Difference Day. She has led the process of providing job request forms and marketing materials in Spanish to better serve the growing Spanish-speaking community in Ashland.

Ingargiola also serves as the Vice President for ��������ר��’s Collegiate Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, planning and participating in Habitat home builds, and as a New Student Transition Executive Captain, where she guides students through their first year and trains other Captains.

In recognizing her above-and-beyond commitment, Azdell quoted one of Ingargiola’s nominators, who said “her profound impact on both the College community and the broader Ashland community exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious award.”

“This award serves as a reminder that even seemingly small actions can have a profound impact on the communities around me,” Ingargiola said. “I am honored to receive this award, especially for something I’m passionate about and truly enjoy, which is helping others.”

The award was established in 2004 by the late Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon, Jr. ’59 and his wife, Stuart Bost Laughon, and reflects its namesakes’ legacy of championing campus leadership and service. The Laughons were actively involved in and showed tireless support for the RMC community. Pepper served on the Board of Trustees, Student Affairs Committee, Athletic Committee, and Greek Alumni Advisory Board. Likewise, Stuart was committed to increasing opportunities for all Yellow Jackets.

The Laughon Commitment to Community Award includes a monetary prize given to the on-campus organization of the winner’s choice. Ingargiola chose for the prize to be split between the RMC Collegiate Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the SERVE Committee.

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Professor Robert R. Lindgren welcomed attendees, including faculty, staff, alumni, and friends and family of Dr. Klaaren and Dr. Thoburn, and reflected on the vital impact relationships with faculty have on students at RMC.

“Our seniors are surveyed on what is most important, what is most special about being here. They particularly say it’s the powerful teaching and powerful mentorship that they get,” Lindgren said. “You two are certainly wonderful examples of that.”

Kristen Klaaren, Ph.D.

Dr. Klaaren earned her Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from the University of Iowa, and a B.A. from Hope College. She joined the ��������ר�� faculty in the fall of 1994.

Klaaren’s research has explored the psychology of prejudice, including a focus beyond perpetrator actions, to emphasize people’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to prejudicial statements in social interaction. This work has captured the complexity of dynamic social interactions that are often catalysts for intergroup hostility. More recent research has assessed the effectiveness of peer education during short-term cross-cultural encounters and investigated the psychological impact of Confederate school names.

Klaaren’s courses tackle challenging topics in an environment of warmth, rapport, tolerance for diverse ideas, and deep student engagement. Her effectiveness has been recognized with the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1998 and 2000, and by the United Methodist Exemplary Teaching Award in 2017.

“Kristen is a model of a teacher-scholar blending a passion for excellence in teaching with scholarly interests in students’ personal and intellectual development,” Rosenthal said. “As she guides students towards greater understanding of their own unconscious social judgments, her deft and careful expertise leads her students to look more closely and to think more deeply about these concepts.”

In her remarks, Dr. Klaaren expressed gratitude for the generosity of the Brock family in enabling the Department of Psychology to thrive, as well as for the opportunity to do meaningful work.

“I love social psychology, in part because I believe its framework can help illuminate social problems with potential to change people’s lives,” Klaaren said.

She also thanked colleagues and family for their support throughout a career in which several of her undergraduate students are now professors and colleagues themselves.

“If I’ve done anything to merit this honor, it’s because I’ve been inspired by the great teachings, meaningful research, and the collaborative spirit of my mentors and colleagues,” Dr. Klaaren said.

The Macon and Joan Brock Professorship in Psychology

The Macon and Joan Brock Professorship in Psychology was established in 2008 by Macon F. Brock, Jr., and Joan Perry Brock. It recognizes a senior member of the psychology department for exemplary teaching and scholarship.

Mr. Brock graduated from RMC in 1964 with a B.A. in Latin. He joined the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam before co-founding K and K Toys and, later, Dollar Tree, Inc. He served as CEO of Dollar Tree until 2004 and served on the RMC Board of Trustees from 1992-2009 and as Chairman from 1999-2009. Mrs. Brock earned her B.A. in secondary education from Longwood College and her M.A. in Humanities from ODU. Steadfast in her community work, Mrs. Brock has served as the Chair of the Chrysler Museum Board, the Virginia Wesleyan College Board of Trustees, and the ACCESS College Foundation. She has also served on the Sentara Board of Directors and as a member of the National Board of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council. The Brocks’ son, Macon F. Brock III ’95, is a current member of the RMC Board of Trustees.

The Brocks have been ��Ѱ�’s most generous benefactors, including an extraordinary bequest from Mr. Brock, who died in 2017, establishing the Brock Venture Fund, intended to fund innovative ideas aimed at growing enrollment at the College.

John Thoburn, Ph.D.

Thoburn earned his Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of California San Diego and a B.S. from Haverford College, where he majored in chemistry and German. He joined the ��������ר�� faculty in the fall of 2003.

Thoburn is an expert in the field of physical-organic chemistry with multiple publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed chemistry journals, including Journal of the American Chemical Society and Angewandte Chemie.

Thoburn is among ��Ѱ�’s most versatile faculty, having taught more than a dozen different chemistry courses as well as English folk dancing and juggling. His teaching has been recognized with the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2015 and 2017, and he has supervised more than 35 undergraduate researchers during his time at RMC. In 2020, his outstanding service was recognized with the Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award for distinguished contributions to the College.

“The College’s only organic chemist, John has taught nearly every chemistry major or pre-health student who has made their way through RMC since his arrival,” Provost Rosenthal said, noting that Thoburn expertly and compassionately guides students through organic chemistry, a notoriously difficult course. “Students highlight his ability to make difficult concepts less opaque, his contagious enthusiasm for the material, his commitment to continuous improvement for himself and for them, and his unfailing support and kindness.”

Thoburn recognized each of his colleagues in the chemistry department for the myriad ways they collaborate in service of teaching ��Ѱ�’s students.

“Every semester is a journey, and sometimes I feel like a big, lumbering ocean-going vessel exploring the high seas of higher education,” Dr. Thoburn said. “I am powered by my students and my institution.”

In appropriate fashion, Dr. Thoburn used a chemistry demonstration as another metaphor for the ��������ר�� experience. A flask represented the buildings and educational environment of the college, and a powder represented the students. Without heat, the powder sat unchanged, but with the application of a torch—or the inspiration from a dedicated faculty member—it broke into flame.

“It’s not enough to give students a place to work and give them great ideas,” Dr. Thoburn said. “We need to set them on fire.”

The Garnett-Lambert Professorship in Chemistry

The Garnett-Lambert Professorship in Chemistry rewards excellence in the teaching and research of chemistry. As a student, Jordan Wheat Lambert, a member of the class of 1871, helped raise the funds to erect Washington-Franklin Hall, the first brick structure on campus. Lambert went on to market Listerine antiseptic to the nation. In 1925, he made a gift to endow a fund to benefit the Chemistry Department. In 2009, to establish a formal focus for this gift, the Board of Trustees voted to combine with it a second fund, the Garnett Endowment for Chemistry, given through the estates of Dorothy and Muscoe Garnett ’30, to create the Garnett-Lambert Professorship in Chemistry.

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