Endowed Chairs

The Whitehouse Professorship of Psychology

The Whitehouse professorship was established from a 1985 gift to the college by David C. Whitehouse '36 and Constance T. Whitehouse, in honor of their families. First awarded in 2007 this professorship has been held by 3 faculty over the last 15 years. The professorship is not restricted by discipline and recognizes faculty who are exceptional in teaching, scholarship, and service.

Amy Bradfield Douglass, Professor of Psychology

Professor Amy Douglass arrived at Bates in 2001 after receiving her PhD from Iowa State University the same year. Upon her arrival at Bates, Professor Douglass began building teaching and research programs that have involved hundreds or students and collaborators from across the US and globe. Her research is focused on the reliability of eyewitness testimony and ways to improve and preserve such testimony. Her publications include numerous student co-authors from among the many thesis students she has advised in the Department of Psychology. Professor Douglass has received multiple grants from national and international funding agencies (e.g., the National Science Foundation, Australian Research Council) totaling over $600,000 and has held several international academic positions including a Fulbright Scholarship in 2023. Beyond these significant and ongoing contributions to her discipline, Dr. Douglass has done exemplary work as a teacher, most notably in her instruction of Statistics, a core requirement of Psychology and other social science curricula. She has been an influential member of the community serving on elected and appointed committees including the Academic Affairs Council, the Committee on Faculty Governance, and the Faculty Personnel Committee.