Pomona College Selects First Female President

CLAREMONT, CA -- Gabrielle Starr, the dean of New York University's College of Arts and Science, has been named the next president of Pomona College, the school announced Thursday.

Starr is a scholar of English literature whose work includes the study of neuroscience as it relates to human perception of the arts. She received her BA from Emory University and a Ph.D. from Harvard.

"It's a great honor to join Pomona's extraordinary community of scholars and researchers, artists and activists, educators and entrepreneurs," Starr said. "The life of the mind speaks to a deep human need, and we are truly fortunate to be able to pursue the true breadth of human knowledge in a vibrant and open atmosphere.

I look forward to working together with you as we let Pomona's light shine for another generation, and, together, shape our world anew."

Starr was appointed Thursday by the Claremont school's board of trustees. She will replace David Oxtoby, who said earlier this year that he would be stepping down as head of the liberal arts college on June 30, 2017.

Pomona College was established in 1887. Starr will be its 10th president. She'll be the school's first female -- and first African American -- president.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of Pomona College