Steven Leigh, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, today announced that David Boonin will serve as the new chair of the Philosophy Department. Boonin, a philosophy professor and former associate dean for arts and humanities, will assume the new role prior to the start of the fall semester. Andrew Cowell, who served as interim department chair since February 2014, will return to his home department and become the chair of Linguistics.
鈥淚 asked Andy to take on this short-term assignment last year and improve the climate and culture within the Philosophy Department,鈥� Leigh said. 鈥淎ndy has done a superb job of building collegiality and putting the department on the right track for success. David has also been a key player in that progress. I have every confidence that David will build on the advancement made over the past two years.鈥�
The Philosophy faculty unanimously supported Boonin鈥檚 appointment. Boonin joined the Philosophy faculty in 1998 and served as department chair from 2006 to 2010, before being promoted to associate dean. He completed his service of the latter assignment on June 30. Boonin earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in philosophy and history from Yale University and his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh.
鈥淭he Philosophy Department has clearly been making progress under difficult and challenging circumstances,鈥� Boonin said.听鈥淎nd while we still have a number of important issues to work on, the College鈥檚 decision to appoint a member of the Department as chair is encouraging evidence that we have turned a significant corner.听I鈥檓 committed to doing everything I can in this position to assure that the Department continues to move forward on issues involving respect, collegiality and equity. I鈥檓 confident that my colleagues will do everything they can as well.鈥�
