Yale Bulletin and Calendar

March 18, 2005|Volume 33, Number 22

Jonathan Holloway

Holloway named next master of Calhoun College

President Richard C. Levin has appointed Jonathan Holloway, professor of African American studies, history and American studies, as the next master of Calhoun College.

Holloway, who is currently on academic leave from the University as a fellow at the Stanford Humanities Center, will begin his five-year term on July 1.

Holloway, who earned his doctorate at Yale in 1995, is a scholar of post-emancipation American history. His major book, "Confronting the Veil: Abram Harris Jr., E. Franklin Frazier, and Ralph Bunche 1919-1941," tells the story of three young black intellectual-activists who criticized the NAACP for its cautious civil rights agenda, and who saw in the turmoil of the Great Depression an opportunity to advocate class-based solutions to what were considered racial problems.

His most recent book, published this month, is an annotation and introduction of Ralph Bunche's previously unpublished "A Brief and Tentative Analysis of Negro Leadership." Holloway is now working on a new book, titled "Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory, Identity and Politics in Black America, 1941-2000," which is under contract to the University of North Carolina Press. He is also the author of many essays and reviews, and is the editor (with Ben Keppel) of a soon-to-be-published anthology titled "Black Scholars on the Line: Social Science and American Thought in the 20th Century."

Holloway was an All-American football player at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland. He was recruited as an undergraduate to Stanford University by Tom Beckett, then associate director of athletics at Stanford and now director of athletics at Yale, and he played as an outside linebacker on Stanford's football team. Holloway graduated from Stanford in 1989 and came to Yale to study history. After receiving his doctorate, he taught for four years at the University of California in San Diego before returning to Yale as an assistant professor in 1999.

His wife, Aisling Colon, will serve as associate master of Calhoun College. An English major at Georgetown University, Colon has worked as an event planner for the Oracle Corporation. She has also modeled; sang and danced for a touring big band called Doc Scantlin and his Imperial Palms Orchestra; and acted on stage and on screen.

The couple have two children: a daughter, Emerson (named after Ralph Waldo Emerson), who is nearly 5 years old; and a son, Ellison (named after Ralph Waldo Ellison), who is nearly 2. Joining the family in their new home will be two dogs: Tyssie (a shepherd mix) and Malasada (a lab mix).

In his letter announcing Holloway's appointment, Levin thanked the search committee, noting: "Their deep understanding of the ethos of the college was helpful to me throughout this process." The committee was chaired by Glenda E. Gilmore, the Peter V. & C. Vann Woodward Professor of History and professor of American studies and African American studies, and included Charles A. Greer, Deborah G. Thomas, Ethan L. Hutt, Danielle M. Lespinasse, Sailaja M. Paidipaty, Jeffrey B. Shackelton and Nicole J. Shiflett.

Levin also expressed his gratitude to William and Betsy Sledge, the current master and associate master of Calhoun, "who for a decade made Calhoun such a wonderful home to many." He noted in particular William Sledge's "energy, organizational skills, high principles, creativity, psychological insight, fairness and sense of humor" and Betsy Sledge's "passion for the arts [which] helped make it a warm and 'happening' place."

The president added, "Both Sledges gave unstintingly of their time and care to individual students, to the staff of the college, to the fellowship, and to the entire Calhoun family. We thank them for their extraordinary contributions."

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

Financial burden for lower-income families eliminated

Professor created 'Science Saturdays' series to fuel flame . . .

Holloway named next master of Calhoun College

Campus-wide survey begins on March 21

David Leffell is appointed deputy dean for clinical affairs

Music school dean will leave to assume SMU post

Bloom to be honored with Hans Christian Andersen Award

Experiment demonstrates that monkeys have the ability to reason . . .

Researchers identify gene for age-related macular degeneration

Online auction will benefit Dwight Hall

Passion and ambition take center stage in 'Miss Julie'

School of Drama will present Ibsen's tragedy 'Hedda Gabler'

Internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry will visit the campus . . .

'The Physical Print' traces evolution of photographic process

Noted child psychiatrist will deliver inaugural Albert J. Solnit Lecture

Celebrated poet and renowned novelist are next Schlesinger Visiting Writers

In Memoriam: Jacques Guicharnaud, French theater scholar . . .

Nelson to head playwriting department

Yale editor Nayan Chanda earns Shorenstein Award for Journalism

Kiger will join artistic staff at Yale Rep

Library conference will explore preservation of global collections

Dr. James Comer to discuss future of public education

Bookbags and 'Schooliosis'