Yale Bulletin and Calendar

September 13-20, 1999

Volume 28, Number 4

Deborah Thomas

Deborah Thomas is named
to new posts in Woodbridge Hall

Effective Sept. 1, Deborah Thomas has taken on a new challenge with her appointment as Assistant to the President and Associate Secretary of the University.

Thomas, who will be based in Woodbridge Hall, brings extensive experience as associate dean of the Graduate School to this new position. She will work with the University Council, oversee lecture funds administered by the Offices of the President and Secretary, and assist in the planning of events and programs for the University's tercentennial celebration. In addition, she will work on special projects and research in both offices and will continue as a lecturer in American studies.

"Through her many years of work at the Graduate School, Deborah Thomas has had a leading role in many areas of academic and student life," says University Vice President and Secretary Linda K. Lorimer. "She has long-established ties with administrators, deans and staff throughout the University. With her experience, initiative and expertise, she will lend tremendous support to the wide array of projects and activities in the Offices of the President and Secretary."

At the Graduate School, Thomas focused particularly on academic planning and on awarding student fellowships and grants for graduate study and research, including the Whiting and Leylan Dissertation Fellowships, the John F. Enders Fellowships and Research Grants, and the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships. She was also actively involved in the review of the Graduate School's academic policies and programs as a member of its Executive Committee. In addition, she has been involved in the University's review of grievance and disciplinary procedures. She was a member of the Yale Corporation Fact-Finding Team to South Africa.

Thomas coordinated the Graduate School's recruitment efforts, with a particular focus on diversity. She was the principal investigator of grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Danforth Foundation for the support of underrepresented minority students engaged in graduate study, and she established the undergraduate summer research exchange program with funding from the Ford and Mellon Foundations. She served as a University representative to numerous national organizations, including the Council of Graduate Schools Minority Advisory Committee.

Thomas is a graduate of Middlebury College and holds master's and doctoral degrees in American civilization from Brown University. Before coming to Yale, she held positions as assistant dean of students and foreign student advisor at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and as foundation associate at the Rhode Island Foundation in Providence. In the latter position she reviewed grant proposals from nonprofit organizations in the areas of health, historic preservation and environment, education, arts and cultural activities, and social services. She also conducted research on women's organizations in the state.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

New fund will bring noted authors to Yale to nurture students' creativity

Celebration marks reopening of remodeled gallery

Exhibit reveals the many faces of Abe Lincoln

Yale Rep opens season with tale of humorous antics of hypochondriac

Deborah Thomas is named to new posts in Woodbridge Hall

Bjong 'Wolf' Yeigh is appointed as assistant provost

Memorial service will be held for Joseph Coleman

'Europe Beyond 2000' marks inauguration of new YCIAS council

Conference at the School of Forestry to assess health of the Quinnipiac River

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