Dr. Pamela Kaye came to Principia College in 1983 as the director of the community service program. In the 26 years since then, her warm and inspiring presence, primarily as a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, has been felt by many in the Principia community. Kaye’s recent decision to leave Principia, effective July 1, 2009, will leave a faculty opening that will not be filled easily.
Senior Sociology and Anthropology major Sara Mata expressed her gratitude for Kaye. Mata said, “I’ve really enjoyed having Dr. Kaye as a professor because I feel that she has encouraged me to critically think about issues in our society today. Dr. Kaye has encouraged me to not be afraid to question things and to stand up for what I believe in.”
Sally Steindorf, professor of Sociology and Anthropology, added, “[Dr. Kaye] has contributed to Principia College as a whole in a huge way, in addition to my department, Sociology and Anthropology, and also to me personally.” She continued, “What I have really admired about her is her commitment to social justice. At the very last minute, she went to the Obama inauguration and was in D.C. and took the bus there with her daughter…. She’s been involved in other rallies, and I’ve always looked up to her for those things, among other things.”
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In the letter of resignation she submitted to Academic Dean Dr. Scott Schneberger, Kaye cited “professional and personal” reasons for her decision to leave to “open up new possibilities.” She also expressed her gratitude for everything she has been able to contribute and for everything she has received during her time at Principia.
Also in her letter, Kaye emphasized her hope that her replacement will be someone qualified to assume responsibility for Principia’s Women’s Studies program, which Kaye herself founded 20 years ago. Kaye wrote, “Small though [the Women's Studies program] may be its presence at a college founded by a woman based on a religion founded by a woman is essential. Christian Scientists, of all people, appreciate the metaphysical necessity of creating space for the qualities of womanhood to flourish in the lives of women and men.”
In addition to founding the Women’s Studies program, Kaye has also been active in faculty development, institutional planning, and academic committee work during her tenure at Principia. She has served administratively as department chair, Social Sciences Unit Head, and Associate Dean of the Faculty. She also designed the intensive capstone course for Sociology and Anthropology majors.
Steindorf said, “At the college-wide level, [Dr. Kaye has] done a huge number of things in terms of organizing faculty retreats. The way that she ran those retreats involved a high level of democratic thinking and participation by all faculty members.”
In an email to the Pilot, Kaye wrote, “The one steady part of working for Principia College that has ALWAYS been satisfying every single day has been the students. No matter how I am feeling when I walk into the classroom, I am always feeling better when I leave the classroom because the students are bright, sincere, funny, creative, respectful and dedicated. I have always found inspiration from the students!”
Mata said, “[Dr. Kaye has] been very patient, kind, and thorough in every single aspect of her teaching…. She’s made an impact on my education and in my experience while at Principia…. I wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
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