Washington College Awarded Clare Boothe Luce Professorship

Chestertown, MD, May 24—Washington College has been granted a Clare Boothe Luce Professorship in Chemistry by The Henry Luce Foundation, Inc. of New York. Leslie A. Sherman, an analytical and environmental chemist, will be the first Clare Boothe Luce Professor in the College's history. The CBL Professorship was granted by the Clare Boothe Luce Program Selection Committee and funded through The Henry Luce Foundation.

The Luce grant is designed specifically to enhance the academic careers of women in science, engineering and mathematics. Active in journalism, the theatre and governmental service, the late Clare Boothe Luce created the program to advance her keen interest in helping women achieve their potential. Under the terms of her will, Mrs. Luce established a legacy that benefits women with talent and ambition in areas where they are still largely underrepresented—science and engineering.

"Since women were first admitted to Washington College in 1891, they have challenged cultural attitudes toward women in education, in sports and in professions. We are proud of our record in encouraging women to pursue the baccalaureate as well as careers in the sciences," John S. Toll, President of Washington College said. "The endorsement of our efforts from this prestigious source will enable us to make even greater strides in advancing the causes championed by Clare Boothe Luce." Washington College is a private liberal arts and sciences college located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college created in the new nation.

Sherman, a graduate of Carleton College, holds a M.S.C.E. degree in water chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Department of Civil Engineering, and a Ph.D. in soil chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to her teaching and research positions, she has been a program analyst with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a marine science policy fellow for NOAA's National Sea Grant Program. She served with the Peace Corps for two years as a science teacher in Cameroon, West Africa. Most recently, she taught environmental studies, water resources and environmental chemistry.

Sherman will add a strong science component to the College's recently established interdisciplinary major in environmental studies, Frank Creegan, chairman of the Chemistry Department said. In direct response to expressions of interest by students, Sherman will also offer upper level courses in analytical chemistry emphasizing limnology, the scientific study of bodies of freshwater, and marine science. In addition to courses in chemistry, Sherman will develop a freshman seminar focused on women in science.

The Luce grant of $403,548 will support the expenses of the professorship for five years. The College will also provide funding for two student research assistants each summer, as well as one teaching assistant and one student assistant during the academic year.