Professor of Anthropology Larry Breitborde Retires

by Elise Goitia '18

Professor of Anthropology Larry Breitborde celebrated 22 years of teaching at Knox with fellow faculty, students, and other members of the Knox community at his retirement party.

As attendees commemorated the event with cake and speeches, people remembered Breitborde's sense of humor, his dedication to his students, and his passion for teaching.

Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Jon Wagner said he viewed Breitborde as an "ideal exemplar of the spirit of Knox."

"Like his academic colleagues, Larry counseled students, became fond of them as individuals, and went out of his way for them personally when the occasion arose," said Wagner.

"No meeting ever went by without some heartfelt laughter," he added. "Larry's sense of humor was always at the ready. Larry Breitborde, we are going to miss you very, very much."

Breitborde received his M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology at University of Rochester in 1978. He came to Knox as Dean of the College in 1995, stepping down from that position in 2013 to continue his career at Knox as a professor. His teaching interests include language and culture, Sub-Saharan Africa, linguistics, and first-year preceptorial.

During his career, Breitborde has received various grants and awards, including a Fulbright Dissertation Award, a Fulbright Africa Regional Research Award, research grants from the National Science Foundation, and a National Endowment for the Humanities grant.

Some of his past students sent their regards and recollections of Breitborde in writing.

"When I think of professors who have impacted my time at Knox, Larry will always be the first one that comes to mind," said Caroline Hickey ‘18. "He was instrumental in the process of figuring out what to do with my future. I don't think I'd be where I am in my career at Knox if it wasn't for Larry, and I could not be more thankful."

Recent alumna Kilee Vega ‘17 wrote that Breitborde was "one of the biggest blessings in my life."

"He helped me navigate the uncertainty of my future," she said.

Vega graduated this year as a first-generation college student. She said that it was made possible because Breitborde was "by my side supporting, encouraging, and advising all along the way."

Jaki Hermann '19 commented on the positive influence Breitborde had on her education as an advisor and friend.

"From his iconic map of Africa (and sometimes India, depending on the day) to his drop-everything attitude to help his students, Knox is bidding farewell to, in my opinion, one of the best professors that has ever graced this campus," she said.