Four faculty members appointed to endowed chairs, professorships

Gettysburg College recognizes four faculty members for their contribution to learning, teaching, and mentorship.

In February, the Gettysburg College Board of Trustees approved four appointments of faculty to endowed chairs and professorships:

French Prof. Florence Ramond Jurney as the Kermit O. Paxton and Renee A. Paxton Endowed Teaching Chair
Biology Prof. Ryan Kerney as the Harold G. Evans Chair of Eisenhower Leadership Studies
Environmental Studies Prof. Rud Platt as the George E. Thompson Jr. Professor in Environmental Studies
History Prof. Tim Shannon as the Edwin T. and Cynthia Shearer Johnson Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities

As Jurney and Shannon step into their appointments and Kerney and Platt prepare for their roles in the next academic year, they are honored by the recognition of fellow colleagues who inspire them to continue learning and teaching.

French Prof. Florence Ramond Jurney

Kermit O. Paxton and Renee A. Paxton Endowed Teaching Chair

In continuing her scholarly pursuits at Gettysburg, Jurney plans to access archives in France and other Francophone regions for her research in contemporary literature. This access will allow her to forge a stronger connection to the geographic, historical, and social contexts in which texts were written. By bringing these contexts into the classroom, she aims to make materials more tangible and relevant for students, enhancing their perspectives. Jurney holds the appointment this year and will continue to hold the chair for three years through 2028.

“There are many talented and dedicated educators at Gettysburg College and knowing that only one award is given among so many deserving individuals makes this recognition especially meaningful,” she said. “It reaffirms my commitment to mentoring and teaching, and it inspires me to continue engaging with students in transformative ways.”

Biology Prof. Ryan Kerney

Harold G. Evans Chair of Eisenhower Leadership Studies

Through his endowed professorship appointment, running for three years through 2028, Kerney will work closely with Tracie Potts, executive director of the Eisenhower Institute and its advisory committees and staff, to supervise and coordinate the Eisenhower Institute’s Undergraduate Fellows (EIUF) program. There, he will educate seniors in different aspects of science policy, drawing from direct access to scientists and policymakers in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. Given the changing landscape of research and science over the past few months, Kerney sees this fellowship as a unique opportunity for students to “meet the moment” and engage with science policy as it evolves.

“While my day-to-day work at the College has focused on teaching and research in biology, I have also volunteered for the Citizens Climate Lobby, the American Institute for Biological Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Health, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science to promote government support for science and evidence-based decision-making,” said Kerney. “Through this endowment, I will be able to take this science advocacy into my ‘day job.’ I believe that the EIUF seniors will have an amazing opportunity to learn about the advancement of science and the scientific breakthroughs that will impact their lives.”

Environmental Studies Prof. Rud Platt

George E. Thompson Jr. Professor in Environmental Studies

Platt teaches courses in Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, as well as first year and capstone seminars. Working closely with students and including them in co-authorship opportunities, Platt and his students regularly present their research at national and international scientific meetings. As the Thompson Chair, he will work with students on several projects related to the impact of megafires on ecosystems, communities, and public health. Platt will hold the Thompson professorship for a five-year term through 2030 and will present a campus-wide lecture on his scholarship and teaching.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Environmental Studies Department for nominating me to serve as the next Thompson Chair,” said Platt. “Having taught at Gettysburg College for more than two decades, I see this recognition as a reflection of our shared commitment to teaching, research, and most importantly to mentoring our students.”

History Chair Tim Shannon

Edwin T. and Cynthia Shearer Johnson Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Humanities

Since joining Gettysburg’s faculty in 1996, Shannon has taught courses in the First-Year Seminar program and in subjects related to Early American, Native American, and British history. Through the endowed professorship, Shannon will work to create a faculty mentoring program for the First-Year Seminar program and contribute annually to it. Holding the position retroactively this year, Shannon will continue in his appointment for a three-year term through 2028.

“One of the reasons I left my previous job and came to Gettysburg College was that I thought Gettysburg would provide greater resources for supporting my research and publications in early American history,” said Shannon. “Many institutions promote their faculty as ‘teacher-scholars,’ but not all put their money where their mouth is. Over my many years here, Gettysburg has done that, and I am grateful for it. I have also benefited from working alongside great colleagues, whose scholarly achievements inspire me to pursue my own.”

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