Pomona College, a liberal arts college in Claremont, California, completed its presidential search last week with the announcement that noted chemist David W. Oxtoby will become its ninth president. Oxtoby will assume his new duties as both president and professor of chemistry on July 1.

"Pomona in particular is very well placed as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country, diverse in all its constituencies, able to interact effectively with the Pacific Rim because of its geographic location, and with the resources to explore new approaches to teaching and learning," said Oxtoby regarding his interest in the school.

Oxtoby is currently serving as Dean of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago, where he began his academic career in 1975. "We will be very sorry to see him leave Chicago," said University of Chicago Provost Richard P. Saller, according to a Pomona press release.

Oxtoby's appointment concluded a nine-month nationwide search that began in May 2002 after current president Peter W. Stanley announced his retirement concluding twelve years of service at Pomona, according to the Pomona press release. The presidential search drew approximately 200 highly qualified candidates who were carefully screened.

"In David Oxtoby, we have found a worthy successor who believes devoutly in the benefits of the liberal arts and the responsibility of a college like Pomona to be a leader among liberal arts colleges nationwide," said Chairman of Pomona's Board of Trustees Stewart R. Smith. "David is a person who is, first of all, brilliant of mind and staggering in his scholarly credentials."

Oxtoby confirmed that he was at one point a candidate in the College's search for a president, stating that he had spoken at different levels with the College's search committee.