Announcement Regarding Henry Pinkham of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

July 15, 2010

Dear fellow member of the Columbia community:

After almost a decade of leadership as dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Professor Henry C. Pinkham will be stepping down to return to his primary focus on research and teaching this September.

Henry’s longstanding relationship with Columbia goes back to 1974 when he joined our faculty as a professor in Mathematics.  Throughout his distinguished career, he has proven to be a remarkable colleague, educator, researcher, and administrator.  During his tenure as dean, Henry initiated a collaborative process for reviewing prospective students.  He expanded and revitalized the GSAS Alumni Board, as well as participation of graduate alumni.  Under Henry’s leadership, the school saw the establishment of twenty-three Endowed Fellowships.

While dedicated to the development of graduate education at Columbia, Henry has also been devoted to improving undergraduate education.  He was a pivotal force in creating the Teaching Center, which offers professional training resources for graduate students.  He worked to create new interdisciplinary programs and courses, such as the Climate and Society MA program and the PhD in Sustainable Development.  And, with all of his administrative duties as dean, Henry’s own passion for teaching never waned.  Every fall, Henry has taught courses in both the Music Humanities program and the Mathematics department.  For his love of students and the classroom, he was awarded the 1999 Mark Van Doren Teaching Award.

It should then come as no surprise to us that Henry looks forward to resuming his research and his teaching, two of the many things he has done throughout his career with such talent and devotion.  We are delighted that Henry will continue to be an important part of the Columbia community.

I will announce a search plan over the summer.  Please join me now in thanking Professor Henry C. Pinkham for his service to Columbia as dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Sincerely,

Lee C. Bollinger