Date: May 4, 2009

From: Gregory D. Hess, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty

Re: Dean of the Joint Science Department

I am delighted to announce that Professor David E. Hansen from Amherst College has accepted our offer to serve as the new Dean of the Joint Science Department (JSD). Dr. Hansen, who received his Sc.B. from Brown University and his Ph.D. from Harvard University, started his academic career at Amherst College in 1986 and currently serves as the Rachel and Michael Deutch Professor of Chemistry. He will start his new appointment on July 1 and his family will join him in Claremont during the summer. Among many other assignments, Professor Hansen will serve on CMC’s Curriculum Committee and chair the Academic Deans Committee of the Joint Science Department. As a full professor with tenure, Professor Hansen will also be a member of CMC’s APT committee during the years he is assigned to CMC.

At Amherst, Professor Hansen has taught courses in organic chemistry, introductory chemistry and biochemistry.  In addition to science courses, Professor Hansen has taught first-year seminars with colleagues from the social sciences and the humanities. His research involves the creation of artificial enzymes and much of his work has been directed toward the creation of peptidases. His administrative experience includes serving as department chair, serving on the “Committee of Six” (an elected faculty executive committee), serving on the Educational Policy Committee, and many other appointed and elective functions. He also wrote Amherst’s successful 2000 proposal for a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Undergraduate Biological Sciences Education Program award.

The Search Committee for this new position included three faculty members from the Joint Science Department, faculty representatives from Claremont McKenna College, Pitzer College, Scripps College, and one outside science faculty member from Pomona College. The Committee began its work in the late Fall 2008. Professor Hansen received the enthusiastic support of all the members of the search committee, as well as the Joint Science Department. As chair of the Search Committee, I am delighted with the outcome of the search and hope all of you will join me in welcoming Professor Hansen.

Professor Hansen comes to the JSD at an important time. The growth of the Joint Science department requires extensive planning for the future including new and remodeled facilities, and the three member Colleges have just completed the drafting of a new governance agreement including revised reappointment, promotion and tenure regulations, and a revised rotation schedule.