Faculty Appointed to Endowed Professorships

Karen BallThree Alma College faculty members have been appointed to endowed professorships in recognition of their consistent record of teaching, research, service and commitment to the liberal arts.

Liping Bu, professor of history, was named the Reid-Knox Chair of American History. A member of the Alma faculty since 1999, Bu specializes in 20th century U.S. history and modern China. She has a Ph.D. in history and policy from Carnegie Mellon University and has published five books and more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Established in 1992 from the estates of Frank and Annie Reid Knox, Alma College alumni from the 1890s, the Reid-Knox chair recognizes excellence in teaching and scholarship in the field of American history. Frank Knox served as Secretary of the Navy during World War II and later was editor and publisher of The Chicago Daily News.

Karen Ball and Kate Blanchard were named Charles A. Dana Professors.

Ball, chair and professor of integrative physiology and health science, has taught at Alma since 1995. She teaches courses in human physiology, pharmacology and molecular aspects of muscle physiology, and she has a research focus on the biochemical regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle function. She has a Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Kate BlanchardBlanchard, professor and chair of religious studies, has taught at Alma since 2006. She teaches courses in women, gender and religion; world religions; religion, business and the environment; and African-American religion. She has a research focus on the ways contemporary American Christians integrate their theological understanding and their everyday lives. She has a PhD. in religion from Duke University.

The Charles A. Dana Professorship started in 1972 with four professorships, with two more added later. They are endowed by the Charles A. Dana Foundation, created by Charles Dana, a New York state legislator with interests in arts education, brain science and immunology. The professorship honors faculty who are creative teachers, engage their students, develop innovative programs and courses and produce excellent scholarship.

Alma College
Endowed Professorships and Chairs

William R. Angell Professorship
John Rowe, chair and professor of biology

Charles A. Dana Professorships
Karen Ball, professor of integrative physiology and health science
Kate Blanchard, professor of religious studies
David Clark, professor of biology
Joanne Gilbert, professor of communication

Elma C. and Wesley C. Dykstra Professorship
Nicholas Dixon, professor of philosophy

Reid-Knox Chair of American History
Liping Bu, professor of history

Secrest Professorship
William Nichols, professor of music

Russell Professorship of Political Science
Derek “Sandy” Hulme, professor of political science

Towsley Professorship of Chemistry
Melissa Strait, professor of chemistry

Story published on May 09, 2018