News

Carole Cavanaugh, the Kawashima Professor of Japanese Studies, at a May 13 reception celebrating retiring faculty.

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Middlebury honored the careers of 16 faculty members who have announced they will retire at the end of the current academic year. Collectively representing more than 500 years of teaching experience at Middlebury, the teachers and scholars joined with their colleagues and staff members for a reception at the Mahaney Arts Center on May 13.

“When I look at this extraordinary group of retiring colleagues, I see the many faces of this vocation,” said Andi Lloyd, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. “I see dedicated teachers—teachers who have collectively logged many thousands of hours in the classroom. I am not exaggerating when I say that generations of students have benefited from their passion, dedication, and expertise.”

Numerous faculty members took turns paying tribute to their retiring colleagues during the reception.

Lloyd offered some parting thoughts as the event drew to a close.

“Colleagues, please know how grateful we are for all that you have given to Middlebury College over the course of your remarkable careers,” she said. “You will be missed, but we send you off to your next adventure with good wishes and sincere appreciation for all that you have done for your students, your colleagues, your disciplines, and the College over the years.”

Middlebury faculty gathered for a group retirement celebration with President Laurie Patton on May 13. From left: John Bertolini, Mary Ellen Bertolini, Stephen Donadio, Richard Romagnoli, Rich Wolfson, Larry Yarbrough, Claudia Cooper, Stephen Trombulak, Carole Cavanaugh, Peter Hamlin, Laurie Patton.

About this year’s faculty retirees:

David Bain, senior lecturer in English and American literatures, began working at Middlebury in 1987.

John Bertolini, the Ellis Professor of English and Liberal Arts, began at Middlebury in 1975.

Mary Ellen Bertolini, senior lecturer, tutor in writing, and director of the Writing Center, joined Middlebury in 1993.

Carole Cavanaugh, the Kawashima Professor of Japanese Studies, began teaching at Middlebury in 1990.

Claudia Cooper, assistant professor of education and English and American literatures, began teaching at Middlebury in 2003.

Stephen Donadio, the Fulton Professor of Humanities and former editor of the New England Review, came to Middlebury in 1977.

Peter Hamlin ’73, the Christian A. Johnson Professor of Music, joined Middlebury in 2004.

Barbara Hofer, professor of psychology, joined Middlebury in 1998.

Kirsten Hoving, professor of history of art and architecture, joined Middlebury in 1983.

Kathryn Kramer, assistant professor of English and American literatures, joined Middlebury in 1997.

Richard Romagnoli, professor of theatre, joined Middlebury in 1986.

Tom Root, professor of biology, joined Middlebury in 1979.

Steve Trombulak, professor of biology and environmental studies, joined Middlebury in 1985.

Kit Wilson, the Julian W. Abernethy Professor of Humanities, joined Middlebury in 1979.

Richard Wolfson, the Benjamin F. Wissler Professor of Physics, joined Middlebury in 1976.

Larry Yarbrough, the Pardon Tillinghast Professor of Religion, joined Middlebury in 1983.