May 14, 2012 - Claremont, Calif. -

Jeffrey D. Groves, professor of literature and incoming vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, was recently named the recipient of Harvey Mudd College's 2012 Henry T. Mudd Prize, an award that recognizes extraordinary service to the College. Groves was presented the award by President Maria Klawe at the College's 54th Commencement ceremony May 13.

Groves will begin a five-year term as vice president and dean of the faculty on July 1, 2012. He succeeds Robert J. Cave, who served in that position for five years. Groves has taught courses on a wide range of topics, including An Introduction to Middle English Literature; Shakespeare; The Land and American Literature; Print and American Culture.  His research examines nineteenth-century American printing and publishing history. He has co-edited and contributed to two volumes in this area: "Perspectives on American Book History" (2002; co-edited with Scott E. Casper and Joanne D. Chaison) and "A History of the Book in America, Volume 3: The Industrial Book, 1840-1880" (2007; co-edited with Scott E. Casper, Stephen W. Nissenbaum, and Michael Winship).  The latter book was awarded the inaugural St. Louis Mercantile Library Prize in American Bibliography in 2008.

Additionally, Groves' interest in nineteenth-century printing history has led him to take up letterpress printing. Using four nineteenth-century iron hand presses housed in the Claremont Colleges Library, his students learn the basics of typesetting, printing and binding, a process that allows them to think practically about the relationship between art and technology. He has also taught the popular Literature 101 that culminates each year in an outdoor performance of a Shakespeare play. Groves has teamed for several years with physics Professor James Eckert to lead a study tour to England in connection with their class, Literature 117: Dickens, Hardy and the Victorian Age.

Groves received his B.A. from the University of La Verne and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate School.

The Henry T. Mudd Prize is awarded each year at commencement to a member of the college community whose service to the college and its mission is exemplary. Henry T. Mudd (1913-1990), the son of Harvey S. Mudd, was instrumental in the creation and early development of the college named for his father. He served as a founding trustee and chair of the board for 23 years.

Following is the text of the citation that was awarded by President Maria Klawe to Groves:


"For his extraordinary service to Harvey Mudd College spanning over two and a half decades, during which he served with wisdom, kindness, collegiality, passion and expertise;

For his creativity and passion for teaching and for his leadership in developing sought-after interdisciplinary courses that combined his love for literature with STEM education;

For serving on countless administrative committees, including the Presidential Search Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and the WASC Steering Committee;

For his energetic leadership and creative approach on a great variety of academic program initiatives; For his continued engagement with the alumni and particularly for the insights he offered before performances both on campus and at regional events;

For championing the revisions to the faculty notebook; For his academic leadership, including his service as the last Freshman Division Director from which the position of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs was created, as Chair of Humanities and Social Sciences for four years and, most recently, as Chair of the Faculty from 2007 until 2010.

For serving with distinction both this college and the greater community of higher education, Jeffrey D. Groves, Professor of Literature, is hereby designated the 2012 recipient of the Henry T. Mudd Prize.