George and Sylvia Langford

E.E. Just Professor of Biological SciencesAssistant Dean of the College

IN THE DAYS before coeducation, there were ground rules against hiring spouses on the faculty. Of course, there were plenty of husband-and-wife teams between the faculty and other parts of the administration. Today—with the College and the medical center being two of the only real games in town- it's common to see working professional couples in the same building or across campus, throughout the faculty and every arm of the College. It gives the place a certain, well, hominess.

Two faces familiar to Dartmouth students belong to an especially highpowered couple, biology prof George Langford and his wife, Sylvia, dean of the class of 1999. The Langfords' individual career paths span the gamut of the undergraduate experience.

Across campus, George, a premier cell biologist, also promotes success. The chair he holds, the E.E. Just Professorship (named after E.E. Just '07, one of the most influential black scientists in history), provides Langford with a tool to expand the pool of future scientists. Langford believes the professorship is becoming a model for other institutions. Under his leadership Dartmouth has established a program supporting minority science students at the College as well as a summer research program for minority students from other colleges and universities. "We must look at women and minorities as a resource to be developed, otherwise we deprive ourselves of that resource. I think Dartmouth can be leader in that process because of its small size."

Both Langfords represent and support the opportunities available to all students. As a working couple, they serve as additional—and crucial—role models.

The Langfords work together for common goals.