Dear Scripps College Faculty and Staff,
It is with pleasure that I announce the appointment of Bruce Coats, professor of art history, to the Suzanne Ely Muchnic ’62 and Paul D. Muchnic Endowed Professorship, effective July 1, 2017. Professor Coats is the first appointee to this endowed professorship.
In accordance with the terms of the endowment for the Suzanne Ely Muchnic ’62 and Paul D. Muchnic Endowed Professorship, “The Muchnic Professorship will support the salary and benefits of an existing faculty member pursuant to the College’s protocols on awarding endowed chairs and will be awarded to a Professor of Art, with a preference for a Professor in Art History.”
Professor Coats is a professor of Art History and has been at Scripps College since 1985. In terms of teaching, Professor Coats teaches a range of Art History courses related to China and Japan. Students attest that he has a tremendous effect on them. They describe Professor Coats as having true expertise and knowledge, providing hands-on activities, and being passionate and enthusiastic about the topics he teaches. The students very much enjoy and learn from the field trips he facilitates on the Scripps campus. Professor Coats regularly teaches in the Core Program and has most recently taught in Core II and Core III. He is furthermore a productive and highly-regarded scholar. For just one example, he opened Genji’s World in Japanese Woodblock at the Williamson Gallery and it then traveled to several other museums nationally and internationally. He curated this exhibition and contributed an essay to the catalog. He has guest-lectured, presented at conferences, and given public lectures. He also developed a symposium regarding aspects of painting conservation to demonstrate how it is done differently in China versus Japan. He also has worked on several other conservation projects including one at the Getty Museum and one at the Smithsonian. In fall 2016, he worked on Noh theater prints with the Pomona theater department. Professor Coats is very active in the field and his work is respected and appreciated. Moreover, he is an engaged and respected citizen of Scripps, the consortium, and his broader academic community.
Through this appointment, Scripps College recognizes Professor Bruce Coats for his teaching, scholarship, and service to the College.
Sincerely,
Lara Tiedens
President