Now that they’re here...
Sixty-nine new professors join Cal this year, bringing the total number of faculty to 1,554. We asked them what attracted them to teach at Berkeley and their first impressions.
David Gamage, Assistant Professor, Boalt Hall School of Law
“Berkeley is without a doubt one of the very best research universities in the world. It is simply thrilling to have so many outstanding colleagues both in the law school and in the University as a whole. I’m struck by the physical beauty of the Berkeley campus and the intellectual energy that surrounds the place. I truly feel blessed to be here.”
Beth Piatote, Assistant Professor, Department of Ethnic Studies (Native American Studies)
“The combination of public access and institutional excellence attracted me to Berkeley. While in graduate school at Stanford, I often visited Berkeley and was always invigorated by the intellectual and social culture. My classes have a wonderfully diverse mix of students, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their educational experience. ”
Andreas Stahl, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology
“I truly feel that my peers and the leadership teams are genuinely interested in my scientific progress and success here at Berkeley. I am also quite impressed by the quality and diversity of both undergraduate and graduate student populations, and look forward to interacting and sharing my enthusiasm for research with them.”
Paul Fine’95, Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Biology
“I loved my undergraduate experience. It is a dream come true to return to Berkeley and teach at the world’s greatest university. It is an incomparable and exciting diversity of people, opinions and ideas, surrounded by unmatched natural beauty. ”
Mark Peterson, Associate Professor, Department of History
“I was attracted to teach at Berkeley initially by the strength and reputation of other faculty members in history. But now that I’m here, I’ve also come to appreciate the resources and the sheer beauty of the University and its environs, as well as the quality, energy, and enthusiasm for learning that I have encountered among the students. I have also been very pleased by how warm and welcoming my colleagues have been. ”
Rachel Morello-Frosch ’88, M.P.H. ’93, Ph.D. ’97, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, and School of Public Health
“I’ve returned to the best public institution of higher education that has taken a decisively interdisciplinary approach to studying and addressing environmental problems. It’s a huge place, with a lot going on, which can seem overwhelming but is also very exciting. The diversity of approaches to examining environmental problems forces one to think differently about the issues that they are working on.”
Sarah Song, Assistant Professor, Jurisprudence and Social Policy Program, Boalt Hall and the Department of Political Science
“There are many things that attracted me to Berkeley, but a key factor was the combination of a top-notch faculty community and incredibly diverse student body that makes UC Berkeley such a special place. I am particularly impressed by the intellectual collaboration and dialogue across different departments and schools on areas of common interest through the many centers, institutes, and workshops around campus. ”
Catherine Cole, Professor, Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies
“Bright students, a top-notch graduate program, cultural diversity, proximity to San Francisco, and being able to continue employment in the UC system. The students are indeed bright, diverse, and highly motivated. But they don’t necessarily know everything, which is good, for it means I have something to teach them!”
