Smith: Morrow professorship
November 9, 2001
Smith: Morrow professorship |
Richard Jay Smith, Ph.D., chair and professor of anthropology, has been named the Ralph E. Morrow Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences, according to Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor and dean of Arts & Sciences.
A formal installation ceremony will be held on Dec. 5 in Holmes Lounge in Ridgley Hall.
"I am absolutely delighted that Richard Smith will be the Ralph E. Morrow Distinguished University Professor," Macias said. "Rich has done a splendid job of leading the Department of Anthropology, which has thrived under his thoughtful and effective leadership. He has been involved in many other key areas of scholarly and administrative activity at the University, and I have come to count on him for the thoughtful, sensible advice that comes from his broad vision. A respected scholar and award-winning teacher as well, he is richly deserving of this high honor."
In his research, Smith is interested in understanding biological variation in fossil apes and humans. Inferences concerning the life-history, ecology and behavior of these species from the fragmentary fossil record usually involve comparisons with living species and also involve complex issues concerning the structure of causal and historical explanations and the validity of statistical models.
In this work, he asks questions about the process of paleontological inference such as: How do we test statements made about the behavior or ecology of extinct species? How much confidence can we have in these inferences?
His research has resulted in approximately 80 publications that have been influential in directing the methods used for paleontological inference. Smith's research also enriches the classes he teaches, including the popular Introduction to Human Evolution, Comparative Biology, and Craniofacial Biology.
Students have recognized Smith's teaching on several occasions. He received the Interfraternity Council Faculty Recognition award in 1996, a teaching award from the Council of Students of Arts & Sciences in 1999, and an Excellence in Mentoring award from the Graduate Student Senate in 2000. On Nov. 11, he will receive the Excellence in Teaching Award from Emerson.
Smith earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Brooklyn College in 1969; a master's degree in anatomy and a doctor of dental medicine degree (cum laude), both from Tufts University in 1973; a certificate in orthodontics from the University of Connecticut in 1976; and a master of philosophy in 1978 and a doctorate in 1980, both in anthropology, from Yale University.
He joined the Washington University faculty in 1984 as professor and chair of the Department of Orthodontics in the School of Dental Medicine. After serving as dean of the dental school from 1989-1991, with responsibility for phasing out the program in dental medicine, he was appointed professor of anthropology and became chair of the department in 1993.
Smith has served on numerous Arts & Sciences and University-wide committees, including the Arts & Sciences Academic Planning Committee; the Task Force on Teaching, Learning and Technology; the Advisory Committee for Promotion, Tenure and Personnel; the Task Force on Career Services for Undergraduate Liberal Arts Students; and the Faculty Achievement Award Advisory Committee.
The professorship is named for Ralph E. Morrow, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history in Arts & Sciences, who served as chair of the Department of History, dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences and provost.
Established in 1986 to honor Morrow's 30 years of service to the University upon his retirement as provost, the professorship was created to honor an exemplary academic who also has served the University with distinction in other roles and to reward great service and encourage others to do the same.
The first faculty member to hold the Morrow professorship was Larry A. Haskin, Ph.D., professor and former chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in Arts & Sciences.
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