The Byron A. Nichols Fellowship

During a teaching career spanning 40 years at Union College (1968-2008), Professor of Political Science Emeritus Byron Nichols taught students how to think by making them think. He promoted and engaged in meaningful intellectual, social and personal interactions with students both in and out of the classroom, helping them to recognize and actualize their potential for growth in all aspects of their lives. His approach to the development of students was always rigorous, intellectual, humanistic and compassionate.

In honor of Byron’s distinguished career, Susan Mullaney Maycock ’72 and her husband Alan Maycock, former Professor of Chemistry at Union, established The Byron A. Nichols Fellowship for Faculty Development with a generous lead gift and support from over 100 of Byron’s former students, colleagues, and friends. The rotating 2-3 year fellowship supports faculty members who are committed to broadening their teaching and mentoring skills by undertaking activities that contribute to the intellectual, social, and personal development of students. Consideration for the fellowship is given to recently promoted associate professors who demonstrate a commitment to Union’s academic community, to developing students, and to fostering positive change within the College. An advisory committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Dean of the Faculty who makes the final selection.