Tufts inaugurates Oxford scientist

Tufts University will inaugurate Anthony P. Monaco, the former Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Resources at the University of Oxford, as its 13th president on Friday.

Before serving as Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Oxford, Monaco ran the university’s Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics since 1998 and served as a professor of human genetics since 1997, where he taught both undergraduate and graduate students.

Monaco, who took office on Aug. 1, and replaced 10-year president Lawrence Bacow, is credited with identifying “the first gene specifically involved in human speech and language,” according to My FOX Boston.

“I believe Tufts is singularly equipped to find creative and thoughtful ways of addressing some of the great challenges facing our world. I welcome the opportunity to work with you as we take on those challenges. So where do we begin?” Monaco wrote in a message to the Tufts community in August. “I believe that thoughtful listening followed by strategic planning is the indispensable foundation of good leadership, and that is where I will put my focus in the coming months.”

UMass law dean resigns

Dean of the University of Massachusetts’ new law school Robert Ward announced his resignation Thursday, The Boston Globe reported. Although Ward cited poor health in his letter of resignation, he later released a statement saying he had charged personal expenses to his university credit card, but acknowledged that he later reimbursed the university account.

Ward blamed his lengthy commute to work and the stress of building a new law school, for his declining health. “The two-hour daily commute and the pressure of building a world-class law school have taken a terrible toll on my health and my family,” Ward wrote in an undated letter to UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean MacCormack.

Ward’s university credit card was intended to cover the cost of business travel but was instead used for a family trip.

Ward’s resignation has unusual timing because the law school at UMass Dartmouth is new and still seeks accreditation from the American Bar Association this year.

UMass Dartmouth Law School released a statement saying it accepted Ward’s resignation and has begun searching for a replacement, according to The Globe.

Amherst college inaugurates

first female president

Amherst College on Sunday inaugurated Carolyn “Biddy” Martin, one of the nation’s top openly gay university leaders, as its first female president since the college was founded in 1821.

Martin, who is the 19th president of Amherst, replaced Anthony Marx, who left Amherst to become president of the New York Public Library.

Sunday’s ceremony was a historical event for Amherst students and faculty to witness and attracted guests from around the world. Martin was formally inaugurated on the 36th anniversary of the first time a woman was admitted to Amherst College.

Martin boasts a degree in English from the College of William & Mary, a master’s degree in German literature from Middlebury College and a German literature doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Martin served as Cornell University provost from 2000 to 2008, and as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 2008, according to The Springfield Republican.

“My move to Amherst College has felt like homecoming,” Martin said. “I’m so glad to be one of you.”