A first at Lehman College, as Naomi Zack becomes the first person of color, and only the second woman, to receive the title of Distinguished Professor at Lehman since the position was established by CUNY in 1967.

Professor of History Tim Alborn also joins this elite cadre of people in CUNY with a title designating outstanding performance and achievement in their fields.

A distinguished professorship is the highest classification that the University can grant members of its tenured, full-time faculty. Just three percent of the over 4,500 eligible faculty across the CUNY system hold the title, with only five named this year.

“We are honored that CUNY has recognized two of our finest professors,” said Jorge Silva-Puras, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs and Student Success. “Timothy Alborn and Naomi Zack have made significant contributions to Lehman College for many years through their scholarship, breadth of research, and teaching excellence. They truly embody the dedication and spirit of the Lehman Faculty.”

With this recent dual promotion, the College now has six active distinguished faculty—four in the School of Arts and Humanities and two in STEM fields.

Alborn, whose scholarship focuses on the social history of British finance, credits the Lehman community for playing a significant part in his success.

“I've always received so much encouragement from all my colleagues and students here, especially in the History Department and the School of Arts and Humanities. My ability to be as productive as I've been has a lot to do with that intellectual exchange and moral support.”

“I hope my colleagues and students realize what an amazing community they're all part of, where being a good person and being a successful scholar always go hand in hand,” he added.

Zack, an eminent philosopher of race, identity, and ethics who joined Lehman in 2019, feels that the past six years in The Bronx have fueled her continuing growth as a scholar and educator.

“Lehman is unique, and the students are very engaging, as well as challenging in ways that have made me think about college in general, and what it means to teach in specifics,” she said.” She noted that she couldn’t have written her most recent book, Multiplicity, Belonging, and Free Speech in US Higher Education, without her Lehman experience.

Zack has published seven books in the past six years. “I'm very happy to have been given the Distinguished Professor title,” she said. “One tends to toil away with writing a lot and the institutional recognition is gratifying.”

James Mahon, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, which houses both Zack and Alborn’s departments, highlighted the significance such honors hold for the College.

“Lehman College is extraordinarily fortunate to have in its midst two world-renowned scholars committed to teaching and service who have been recognized by the university as deserving of this distinction,” he said.

See the list of all Lehman College Distinguished Faculty.