Colleagues, friends and family gathered Friday to dedicate Sorum House in memory of the energetic dean of faculty who used a combination of support and admonishment to bring about the Minerva Houses.
Christina Sorum died last spring after suffering a heart attack.
“Christie was convinced that the Minervas were the way to bridge undergraduates' intellectual and social lives,” said Jim Underwood, interim president. “This is a lasting monument to her career.”
Suzie Benack, professor of psychology and Sorum House faculty representative to the Minerva Council, described her late colleague's ability to cajole pressured students who worked hard to create the Minervas. “The students on the committee were so scared, and Christie would always offer comfort and support,” Benack said. “But she said, ‘You have to have the courage to do this.'”
Sorum joined the College in 1974, spending her teaching career in classics. She was named dean of faculty and vice president of academic affairs in 2000. With the Minervas, Benack said, “Union is doing something unique in a way that Christie was unique.”
Matt Roginsky '07, Sorum House student representative to the Minerva Council, announced that the house's popular coffeehouse would be renamed Christie's Coffeehouse.