In a letter to the Silliman College community announcing the appointment, President Richard C. Levin said that Krauss was an "exemplary" leader during her 13 years at the helm of the School of Nursing, where she worked to strengthen the school's faculty and expand its research capabilities, while maintaining the excellence of its programs in advanced specialty nursing practice.

"She oversaw the relocation of the School to new facilities, an experience that will serve her well as she oversees the coming renovation of Silliman," added Levin. "And most important, as dean she was universally regarded by students, faculty and staff with the greatest respect and the warmest affection." Krauss' five-year appointment as Silliman master begins July 1.

In his letter, Levin also extended "heartfelt thanks" to the current Silliman master and associate master, Kelly and Mary Jo Brownell, and their children. "Their spirit and involvement have enriched Silliman immeasurably," wrote the President. "They have made a real difference in the life of the college."

A member of the Yale faculty since 1971, Krauss completed her undergraduate studies at Boston College, where she now serves as trustee, and her graduate studies in psychiatric nursing at Yale. She was dean of the School of Nursing from 1985 to 1998. Among her many accomplishments in that post was the establishment of the school's first doctoral program.

A noted authority on the care of people with serious and persistent mental disorders, Krauss is also an influential voice for mental health services reform, having authored the American Nurses Association monograph, "Health Care Reform: Essential Mental Health Services." She is founding editor of the scholarly journal Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.

Krauss' work has been recognized by the American Academy of Nursing, American Nurses Association, American Nurses Foundation, the Connecticut Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, the Society for Education and Research in Psychiatric Nursing, and Yale.

Most recently, the American Academy of Nursing and the American Nurses Foundation honored Krauss as the 1998/99 Distinguished Senior Scholar in Residence at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in Washington, D.C. There, she embarked on a national study of the impact of Medicaid managed care on the poor and uninsured and on safety net providers who deliver health care services to vulnerable populations. The IOM report, "America's Health Care Safety Net: Intact But Endangered," will be released in January.

Krauss will continue to teach students in the School of Nursing's healthy policy and mental health specialities. She will also work with colleague Sally Cohen, assistant professor of nursing, to develop a center to study the nature of patient care relationships.

The Silliman master-to-be is married to Ronald L. Krauss, a nurse-midwife for Gynecology and Infertility, P.C., who holds degrees from both the Yale Divinity School and the Yale School of Nursing. They have two daughters: Jenn, 26, who is currently in a master's program in education at Boston College; and Sarah, 22, a Boston College senior.

Contemplating her new assignment as a residential college master, Judith Krauss says: "Having been the Dean of the School of Nursing, a community of about the same size as Silliman, it isn't difficult to imagine both the rewards and challenges of assuming a mastership. What is different, though, and exciting, is the opportunity to become immersed in the life of Yale College and to play some part in shaping and being shaped by the lives of young Yale undergraduates."

Because Krauss and her husband have "just given wing to two wonderful daughters," they are "ready to expand our family," she says. The two are particularly excited about their new roles as master and associate master of Silliman "because it will be work we can share," says the Yale professor.

Krauss was introduced to the Silliman College community on Dec. 2, and says she's looking forward to working with the current staff -- particularly longtime Silliman College Dean Hugh Flick. "In many ways, he's the glue that holds the community together with stability and continuity. I think I'll be his fourth master!" says Krauss. "I'm more than grateful to have his sense of history and wisdom about the place."

While talking to students at her welcoming reception, Krauss alluded to Mitch Ablom's book "Tuesdays with Morrie," about the relationship between a 78-year-old professor and his former student.

"Among other things, the book captures the power of the relationship between the two, and makes the point that some of the most important learning in life takes place outside the classroom," notes Krauss. "I think this is the essence of Yale residential college life and reflects the primary reason that I'm attracted to the mastership. Like Morrie, I'll get to be reminded of those parts of me that were once 20 and, if I'm lucky, will develop lifetime relationships with the students of Silliman. I can't think of anything more satisfying than that."

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