Wig Awards

The Wig Distinguished Professor award for excellence in teaching is the highest honor bestowed on Pomona faculty and recognizes exceptional teaching, concern for students and service to the College and the community.

The recipients of the Wig Award are elected by the junior and senior classes and then confirmed by a committee of trustees, faculty and students. The awards are announced at Commencement each year. They were established by Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Wig in 1955.

Decades

2020s

2024

NameDepartment
Ellie AndersonPhilosophy
Nicholas BallChemistry
David KauchakComputer Science
Susan McWilliams BarndtPolitics
Ami RadunskayaMathematics and Statistics
Kyle WilsonEconomics

2023

NameDepartment
Konrad AguilarMathematics and Statistics
Oona EisenstadtJewish Studies, Religious Studies
Johanna S. HardinMathematics and Statistics
Sara MaslandPsychological Science
David J. Menefee-LibeyGovernment, Politics
Prageeta SharmaEnglish
Arely ZimmermanChicana/o–Latina/o Studies

2022

NameDepartment
Tzu-Yi ChenComputer Science
Malte DoldEconomics
Pierre EnglebertInternational Relations and Politics
Ryan EngleyMedia Studies
Amanda Hollis-BruskyPolitics
Nina KarnovskyBiology
Jordan KirkEnglish

2021

NameDepartment
Eleanor BirrellComputer Science
Erica DobbsPolitics
Phyllis JacksonArt History
Joanne NuchoAnthropology
Kara WittmanEnglish
Yuqing Melanie WuComputer Science

2020

NameDepartment
Aimee BahngGender and Women’s Studies
Tom LePolitics
Jane LiuChemistry
Jorge MorenoPhysics and Astronomy
Gilda OchoaChicana/o Latina/o Studies
Alexandra PapoutsakiComputer Science

2010s

2019

NameDepartment
Guadalupe BacioPsychology, Chicana/o Latina/o studies
Susan McWilliams BarndtPolitics
Pey-Yi ChuHistory
Stephan GarciaMathematics
Carolyn RatterayTheatre and Dance
Valorie ThomasEnglish, Africana Studies

2018

NameDepartment
Nicholas BallChemistry
Clarissa “Cris” CheneyBiology
Oona EisenstadtJewish Studies, Religious Studies
Janice HudgingsPhysics
David Menefee-LibeyPolitics, Public Policy Analysis
Daniel O’LearyChemistry
Shahriar ShahriariMathematics
Julie TannenbaumPhilosophy

2017

NameDepartment
Tzu-Yi ChenComputer Science
Philip ChoiPhysics and Astronomy
John ClitheroEconomics
Donna Di GraziaMusic
Vin de SilvaMathematics
David KauchakComputer Science
Michael KuehlweinEconomics
Pardis MahdaviAnthropology

2016

NameDepartment
Pierre EnglebertInternational Relations, Politics
Sharon GotoAsian American Studies, Psychology
Jonathan HallMedia Studies
Johanna HardinMathematics
April MayesHistory
Kyla Wazana TompkinsEnglish, Gender and Women's Studies
Nicole WeekesNeuroscience
Michelle ZemelEconomics

2015

NameDepartment
Michael DiercksLinguistics and Cognitive Science
Phyllis JacksonArt History
Zayn KassamReligious Studies
Sidney LemelleHistory, Africana Studies
Jane LiuChemistry
Lynne MiyakeJapanese
Gilda OchoaSociology, Chicano/a-Latino/a Studies
Sara OlsonBiology

2014

NameDepartment
Eleanor BrownEconomics
Erica FlapanMathematics
Amanda Hollis-BruskyPolitics
Karl JohnsonNeuroscience, Biology
Susan McWilliamsPolitics
Ghassan SarkisMathematics
Darryl SmithReligious Studies
Tomás Summers SandovalHistory, Chicano/a-Latino/a Studies 

2013

NameDepartment
Robert GainesGeology
Char MillerEnvironmental Analysis
M. Cristina NegrittoMolecular Biology
Daniel O'LearyChemistry
Shahriar ShahriariMathematics
Michael SteinbergerEconomics
Valorie ThomasEnglish, Africana Studies
Kenneth WolfClassics, History

2012

NameDepartment
Jessica BorelliPsychology
Vin De SilvaMathematics
Frederick GriemanChemistry
Pardis MahdaviAnthropology
David Menefee-LibeyPolitics
Ami RadunskayaMathematics
Joti RockwellMusic

2011

NameDepartment
Oona EisenstadtReligious Studies
Pierre EnglebertPolitics
Richard HazlettGeology, Environmental Analysis 
Richard LewisPsychology, Neuroscience
Nicole WeekesNeuroscience
Samuel YamashitaHistory

2010

NameDepartment
Elizabeth CrightonPolitics
Phyllis JacksonArt History
Michael KuehlweinEconomics
Matthew SazinskyChemistry
Sara Owsley SoodComputer Science
Margaret (Meg) WorleyEnglish

2000s

2009

NameDepartment
Eleanor BrownEconomics
Stephan Ramon GarciaMathematics
Susan McWilliamsPolitics
Gilda OchoaSociology, Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies 
Ghassan SarkisMathematics
Tomás Summers Sandoval, Jr.History, Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies
Jonathan WrightBiology

2008

NameDepartment
Deborah BurkeLinguistics & Cognitive
Science
Karl JohnsonNeuroscience, Biology
Fernando LozanoEconomics
Daniel O'LearyChemistry
Shahriar ShahriariMathematics
Michael SteinbergerEconomics
Helena WallHistory

2007

NameDepartment
J. Raymond BurielHistory, Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies 
Robert GainesGeology
Frederick GriemanChemistry
Jerry IrishReligious Studies
David Menefee-LibeyPolitics

2006

NameDepartment
Pierre EnglebertPolitics
Richard HazlettGeology, Environmental Analysis 
Slavi SlavovEconomics
Wayne SteinmetzChemistry
Nicole WeekesNeuroscience
Samuel YamashitaHistory

2005

NameDepartment
Edward (EJ) Crane IIIChemistry
Paul HurleyPhilosophy 
Zayn KassamReligious Studies
Michael KuehlweinEconomics
Patrick Mulcahy Physical Education 
Paul Saint-AmourEnglish

2004

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Eleanor BrownEconomics
Sidney LemelleHistory, Africana Studies 
Gilda OchoaSociology, Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies 
Kenneth WolfHistory

2003

NameDepartment
Elizabeth Crighton  Politics
Donna Di GraziaMusic
Ronald CluettClassics, History
Phyllis JacksonArt History 
Daniel O'LearyChemistry

2002

NameDepartment
Daniel BirkholzEnglish
William BanksPsychology
Cecilia ConradEconomics
Jerry IrishReligious Studies
David Menefee-LibeyPolitics
Katherine HagedornMusic

2001

NameDepartment
Pierre EnglebertPolitics
Kathleen FitzpatrickMedia Studies  
Richard HazlettGeology
Nicole WeekesNeuroscience
Jonathan WrightBiology
Samuel YamashitaHistory

2000

NameDepartment
Michael KuehlweinEconomics
Paul Saint-AmourEnglish  
Cynthia SelassieChemistry
Lenny SeligmanBiology
Margaret Waller Romance Languages and Literatures 

1990s

1999

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Eleanor BrownEconomics
Paul HurleyPhilosophy
John SeeryPolitics
Shahriar ShahriariMathematics

1998

NameDepartment
Jon BaileyMusic
Alvin BeilbyChemistry
Sharon GotoPsychology, Asian American Studies
Zayn KassamReligious Studies
Adolfo RumbosMathematics
Gary SmithEconomics
Kenneth WolfHistory, Classics

1997

NameDepartment
Fred GriemanChemistry
Jerry IrishReligious Studies
David Menefee-LibeyPolitics
Daniel O'LearyChemistry
Monique SaigalModern Languages & Literatures
Miguel Tinker SalasHistory, Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies

1996

NameDepartment
Deborah BurkeLinguistics and Cognitive Science
Elizabeth CrightonPolitics
Richard HazlettGeology, Environmental Analysis
Harry MullikinMathematics
Bruce TelzerBiology
William WhedbeeReligious Studies

1995

NameDepartment
Edward W. CopelandEnglish
Michael KuehlweinEconomics
Eric MillerModern Languages and Literatures
Christopher RohlmanChemistry
Teresa StreckerBiology
Samuel YamashitaHistory
Michelle WiersonPsychology

1994

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Eleanor BrownEconomics
Stephen EricksonPhilosophy
Sidney LemelleHistory, Africana Studies
Rachel LevinBiology, Neuroscience
John SeeryPolitics

1993

NameDepartment
David ElliottInternational Relations, Government
James McKennaAnthropology
Jill SchneidermanGeology
Cynthia SelassieChemistry
Shahriar ShahriariMathematics
Frederick SontagPhilosophy
Kenneth WolfHistory, Classics

1992

NameDepartment
David BeckerBiology
Paul HurleyPhilosophy
David Menefee-LibeyGovernment
Gary SmithEconomics
Brian StonehillEnglish, Media Studies

1991

NameDepartment
Paulette BierzychudekBiology
Raymond BurielPsychology, Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies
Robert HermanSociology
Thomas MoorePhysics
Hans C. PalmerEconomics
Margaret WallerRomance Languages & Literatures

1990

NameDepartment
Deborah BurkeLinguistics and Cognitive Science
Elizabeth CrightonPolitics
Michael KuehlweinEconomics
Harry MullikinMathematics
William WhedbeeReligion
Samuel YamashitaHistory

1980s

1989

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Jon BaileyMusic
Eleanor BrownEconomics
Stephen EricksonPhilosophy
Sidney LemelleHistory, Africana Studies
Lee McDonaldGovernment

1988

NameDepartment
Edward CopelandEnglish
Richard HarrisonHistory
Richard LewisPsychology
James McKennnaAnthropology
Kenneth WolfHistory, Classics

1987

NameDepartment
Karen HultGovernment
Steven KoblikHistory
Cristanne MillerEnglish
Brian StonehillEnglish

1986

NameDepartment
Hans-Dieter BruecknerModern Languages and Literatures
Liliane FucaloroModern Languages and Literatures
Burdette PolandHistory
Samuel YamashitaHistory

1985

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Elizabeth CrightonPolitics
Stephen EricksonPhilosophy

1984

NameDepartment
Deborah BurkeLinguistics and Cognitive Science
Richard HarrisonHistory
James McKennnaAnthropology
Nivia MontenegroRomance Languages and Literatures

1983

NameDepartment
Robert ChambersAstronomy, Physics
Fred KrinskyGovernment
Cristanne MillerEnglish
Herbert B. SmithHistory

1982

NameDepartment
Burdette PolandHistory
R. Nelson SmithChemistry
Brian StonehillEnglish

1981

NameDepartment
Harry J. CarrollClassics
David ElliottInternational Relations, Government
Daniel MazmanianGovernment
Yost AmreinBiology

1980

NameDepartment
Deborah BurkeLinguistics and Cognitive Science
Richard HarrisonHistory
James McKennnaAnthropology
Harry MullikinMathematics

1970s

1979

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Franklin TugwellGovernment
Elizabeth CrightonPolitics
Vincent LearnihanHistory
Wayne SteinmetzChemistry

1978

NameDepartment
William P. BanksPsychology
James LikensEconomics
Donald McIntyreGeology
Hans C. PalmerEconomics
William WhedbeeReligion
Elmer TolstedMathematics

1977

NameDepartment
Jay AtlasLinguistics, Philosophy
Harry J. CarrollClassics
Corwin HanschChemistry
Steven KoblikHistory
Burdette PolandHistory

1976

NameDepartment
James ArmantageReligion
Leo FlynnGovernment
Fred KrinskyGovernment
Harry MullikinMathematics
Frederick SontagPhilosophy

1975

NameDepartment
Martha AndresenEnglish
Karl KohnMusic
Jean WaltonWomen's Studies, Mathematics

1974

NameDepartment
Lyman BensonBotany
Harry J. CarrollClassics
Virginia CrosbyRomance Languages
Charles HolmesEnglish
Frederick MulhauserEnglish
Burdette PolandHistory
Donald H. ZengerGeology

1973

NameDepartment
Yost AmreinZoology
Leonard PronkoTheatre, Romance Languages
William RussellMusic
Hans C. PalmerEconomics
Richard FassChemistry

1972

NameDepartment
Neal CornellChemistry
Harry MullikinMathematics
Darcy O'BrienEnglish
William WhedbeeReligion

1971

NameDepartment
William FaustPsychology
Steven KoblikHistory
R. Stanton HalesMathematics
Franklin TugwellGovernment

1970

NameDepartment
Frederick SontagPhilosophy
John GleasonHistory
Neal CornellChemistry
Noel ChrismanAnthropology

1960s

1969

No awards given in 1969

1968

NameDepartment
Karl KohnMusic
Lee C. McDonaldGovernment
Vincent LearnihanHistory
Vladimir UlitinRussian
Stephen EricksonPhilosophy
Hans C. PalmerEconomics

1967

NameDepartment
Robert VoelkelReligion
Yost AmreinZoology
Harry J. CarrollClassics
Morton BecknerPhilosophy
Paul B. YaleMathematics
Hans-Dieter BruecknerModern European Languages and Literatures
Robert ChambersAstronomy

1966

NameDepartment
Margaret DaviesHistory
Edwin PhillipsBotany
Robert FermReligion
Jack C. MillerPhysics
Michael ArmacostInternational Relations, Government

1965

NameDepartment
Carl BaumanModern European Languages and Literatures
R. Nelson SmithChemistry
Burdette PolandHistory
Leonard PronkoTheatre, Modern European Languages and Literatures
Richard BarnesEnglish
Richard MacMillenZoology

1964

NameDepartment
William F. RussellMusic
Edward WeismillerEnglish
John ViegGovernment

1963

NameDepartment
Ch'en Shou-YiChinese Culture
Lyman BensonBotany
Henry Cord MeyerHistory

1962

NameDepartment
Burton HenkePhysics
Donald McIntyreGeology
Gerhard RostvoldEconomics

1961

NameDepartment
W.T. JonesPhilosophy
Corwin HanschChemistry
Chester JaegerChemistry

1960

NameDepartment
Frederick BracherEnglish
Charles FowlerPhysics
Frederick MulhauserEnglish

1950s

1959

NameDepartment
Floyd BondEconomics
Raymond IredellPhilosophy
R. Nelson SmithChemistry
Ernest StrathmannEnglish

1958

NameDepartment
Roger HazeltonReligion

1957

NameDepartment
Floyd BondEconomics
Ernest StrathmannEnglish

1956

NameDepartment
Floyd BondEconomics
Ernest StrathmannEnglish

1955

NameDepartment
Floyd BondEconomics
Ernest StrathmannEnglish