William Polik Named to
Hofma Chair in Chemistry

Dr. William Polik of the Hope College chemistry faculty has been named the college's Edward and Elizabeth Hofma Professor of Chemistry.

Polik joined the Hope faculty as an assistant professor in 1988. He was promoted to associate professor in 1994, and full professor in 2000.

The professorship was established in 1982 by the Board of Trustees of the Drs. Edward A. and Elizabeth Hofma Trust, to be held by a faculty member who has a major responsibility for the instruction of pre-medical students. Dr. Edward A. and Elizabeth Hofma were long-time residents of, and physicians in, Grand Haven.

The chair's previous holders include retired professors: Dr. Eldon Greij, Dr. Eugene Jekel, and Dr. Rodney Boyer.

Polik's specialty is physical chemistry. He uses lasers to study the details of chemical reactions.

During his time at Hope, he has received 39 grants and awards in support of his research, has given 41 invited seminars and has written 39 articles--including 13 co-authored with Hope students who have worked with him on his research.

Courses he taught have included "General Chemistry I," "Physical Chemistry II" and " Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis II"; he also maintains an active research program involving Hope students.

Polik received the "Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching" at Hope in 1999, the same year that he received the Sigma Xi Award for Scientific Outreach at the college. In 1991, he received a prestigious "Presidential Young Investigator Award" from the National Science Foundation. He has also served on the national Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Polik graduated from Dartmouth University in 1982. He holds a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley.

Endowed chairs are established by donors who wish to assist the college on a permanent basis through the support of a faculty member. The gift is placed in the college's endowment fund with investment income used to support the work of the honored professor. In addition to recognizing faculty members for excellence, endowed chairs provide funding for summer research projects as well as some salary support.

William Polik of Hope Faculty Elected AAAS Fellow

Learn more about establishing an endowed professorship