The Mary Tucker Thorp College Professorship is awarded each academic year to a full professor with at least six years of service at Rhode Island College who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, along with excellence in scholarship and/ or excellence in professional and collegial service. The professorship honors the contributions of Mary Tucker Thorp, whose illustrious career at the college spanned from 1926–1967.
Our 2026 College Professorship Recipient
Dr. Joanne F. Costello, Professor of Nursing
Educating in an Era of Anti-Science
- April 1, 2026, 4 pm
- Alger Hall, Room 110, reception to follow
Dr. Costello will offer a perspective on her experience teaching nursing students public health content during a time of widespread denial of evidence-based ideas and concepts including issues of community protection, health equity, environmental health, policy-based interventions, diversification of the healthcare workforce, and global health.
More on Dr. Costello's Scholarship
About Mary Tucker Thorp
Mary Tucker Thorp was a graduate of the Rhode Island College of Education. In 1926, she began her forty-year tenure at the college where she served as a professor of education until 1967. In 1961, the college's first residence hall was named in her honor. The Thorp College Professorship is awarded to an outstanding faculty member in recognition of her legacy of scholarship and service to the RIC community.
Candidate Evaluation
Candidates for the Thorp College Professorship are evaluated by a college-wide committee composed of faculty from the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, the School of Business, the Onanian School of Nursing, the School of Social Work, and the Adams Library. The appointment is made by the college president.
Selection and appointment criteria include demonstrated excellence in teaching along with excellence in scholarship and/or excellence in service.
Award Funding
Funds to support the Thorp College Professorship were provided by a generous bequest in the will of Mary Tucker Thorp and are held in the Tucker Thorp Fund, which is administered by the Rhode Island College Foundation. Starting in 2004–2005 the Thorp Professorship became a college-wide award.
