Reed receives prestigious Knight Foundation grant

Reed is one of five U.S. colleges that have received $150,000 discretionary grants in the James L. Knight Foundation Presidential Leadership grant program. The schools were recommended by a distinguished advisory panel of national educators. "These schools and their presidents have been standouts in a vital branch of higher education," said Hodding Carter II, Knight Foundation president and CEO.

Reed was cited for its unwavering commitment to solid academics, a liberal arts core, and significant student involvement in the school's governance. Steven Koblik was recognized for his effective championing of Reed's hallmark academic rigor and sense of intellectual community, as well as for his leadership in the Portland civic community.

Koblik will allocate $100,000 of the grant to the endowment that supports student research. This program, established with funds from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, provides modest support to students for research-related expenses such as travel to conferences and field sites or purchase of equipment and supplies. The awards—given with preference to seniors working on their theses—are designed to improve the quality of student research and allow them to share their work with professionals.

The remaining $50,000 will be used to establish an endowment that will support professional development of faculty members teaching in the Humanities 110 program. Among other uses, the endowment will provide travel funds for faculty members who have never had the opportunity to visit the classical sites that are an integral part of the Hum 110 curriculum.


New dean of student services named

Regina Mooney has been appointed as vice president and dean of student services. She will succeed Jim Tederman, who is retiring at the end of the 1998-99 academic year after nine years at Reed.


Regina Mooney, dean of student services

Mooney was previously dean of student services at Mt. Holyoke College and associate dean of students at Harvey Mudd College. She received her B.A. from Southern Connecticut State University, a master of divinity degree and a master of sacred theology degree from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in social ethics from Claremont Graduate School. She also taught classes at Harvey Mudd in ethics and the philosophy of religion.

Mooney has published numerous articles and presented many papers on religion, ethics, and student services; her articles include "Understanding Students of Generation X," Chronicle of Higher Education, July 21, 1993, and "Commanding Paradox: Mysticism, Eroticism, and Violence in Crucifixion Piety," Explorations: The Journal of Adventurous Thought, winter 1991.

"I am so very glad that Reed chose me, because I feel like I chose Reed some time ago," said Mooney. "My life's work has been about assisting students in their efforts to find and construct their most authentic selves. The students at Reed are known for acting and reflecting on the relationship between honor and self while taking responsibility for their academic and other life choices. In addition, they are committed to a strong community life. It is at the intersection of individual and community life, set in the greater context of such a strong academic enterprise, where some of the most exciting work in higher education lies. I am thrilled to be a part of it at Reed."

President Steven Koblik wrote in a note to the Reed community about Tederman’s retirement that "Jim has served Reed with remarkable distinction. His effect on the life of this community has been profound, and I look forward to working with him for another year as he concludes a distinguished and nationally recognized career."

Tederman said about retirement that "Working at Reed made that decision even more difficult because, as anyone associated with Reed knows, this place gets in your blood. . . . I will greatly miss the many colleagues and friends I have made at the college."



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