Thomas Ludwig and Caroline Simon Appointed to Chairs

Hope College faculty members Dr. Thomas Ludwig and Dr. Caroline Simon have been appointed to endowed chairs at the college.

Ludwig, a professor of psychology, has been appointed to an eight-year term as the John Dirk Werkman Professor of Psychology. Simon, a professor of philosophy, has been appointed to a four-year term as the John H. and Jeanne M. Jacobson Professor of Philosophy.

They are each the second member of the faculty to hold their respective chairs. Their appointments will begin with the new school year.

Ludwig has been a member of the Hope faculty since 1977, and has been nationally recognized for adapting the computer and Internet for use in psychology education. In 2005 he received the Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award from the American Psychological Foundation for his significant career contribution to the teaching of psychology. In 1997, he received the Silver World Medal in the College Division of the New York Festivals' "International Interactive Multimedia Awards" for his "PsychQuest: Interactive Exercises for Psychology." He also received the "Best Psychology Software" award in the 1990 EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL Higher Education Software Awards competition for his "PsychSim II: Interactive Graphic Simulations for Psychology."

He is the author of numerous articles published in scholarly journals, on topics including not only the use of computer technology in teaching but also his research interests in developmental psychology, gerontology and cognitive psychology. The college presented him with its Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003.

Simon has been a member of the Hope faculty since 1988, and in addition to teaching also serves as director of general education and interdisciplinary studies. She has written extensively on issues surrounding Christianity and higher education, and was lead author of the book "Mentoring for Mission: Nurturing New Faculty at Church-Related Colleges." Her publications also include the books "The Disciplined Heart: A Narrative Philosophy of Human Affection" and (with Dr. James Kennedy) "Can Hope Endure? A Historical Case Study in Christian Higher Education." She has also authored many articles in both scholarly and popular publications on moral knowledge, virtue ethics and sexuality.

She has served the college a variety of ways through the years, including by leading portions of the college's faculty mentoring program, chairing the department of philosophy, and serving for a year as acting director of women's studies and as faculty moderator and as a faculty representative on the college's Board of Trustees. In January of this year she received the "Provost's Award for Service to the Academic Program."

The John H. and Jeanne M. Jacobson Endowed Professorship was established as a retirement recognition in honor of Dr. John H. Jacobson, who was 10th president of Hope College from 1987 to 1999, and his wife, Dr. Jeanne M. Jacobson, who was an adjunct member of the Hope education faculty and a senior research fellow with the college's A.C. Van Raalte Institute.

The Jacobson professorship is designated for a tenured faculty member with a commitment to the Christian faith who is an outstanding teacher-scholar or artist and who proposes to conduct a significant program of research or creative activity. The chair is open to faculty from any department, with appointment for a four-year term. Its previous and first recipient was Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger of the religion faculty, appointed to the chair in 2003.

The John Dirk Werkman Endowed Professorship was established through the estate of Mary K. Werkman in memory of her husband. An 1889 Hope graduate, Dr. John Dirk Werkman was both a physician and an instructor in chemistry in Iowa.

The Werkman professorship is designated for a tenured faculty member with a distinguished record as an outstanding teacher, recognized scholarly contributions and significant contributions to the mission of the college. It is open to faculty from any department. Its previous and first recipient was psychologist Dr. David Myers, who had held the chair since 1982.

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.

Learn more about establishing an endowed professorship