Rocky gets a new master

English professor Jeff Nunokawa has been named acting master of Rockefeller College for the 2007-08 school year, the University announced Monday.

It also identified Nunokawa's successor as religion professor Marie Griffith. She will assume her role on July 1, 2008, after taking a leave of absence during the next academic year.

The announcement comes as Maria DiBattista, a professor of English and comparative literature, prepares to conclude her second term as Rocky master at the end of the academic year.

Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel, who chose both new appointees, praised them in an e-mail, calling them "outstanding teachers" who are "deeply interested in undergraduate life" and have "excellent administrative experience."

Nunokawa said he was gratified that Malkiel singled him out for the job.

"I was totally flattered, and I still am," he said of his selection. "I'm really looking forward to the idea of overseeing and helping to sustain a residential community of undergraduates."

Griffith, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, will take up her position after a year of leave, during which she plans to work on her new book, "Holy Sex: The Sexual Revolution in Christian America, from Alfred Kinsey to True Love Waits." The book will analyze the growing outcry by conservative Christians on sexual issues ranging from pornography, adultery and abortion to homosexuality, same-sex marriage and abstinence-only sexuality education.

Griffith first came to Princeton in 1995-96 as a visiting research fellow in the Center for the Study of American Religion. She returned to the University in 1999 to serve as an associate director of the Center for the Study of Religion and joined the religion department's faculty in 2003.

Nunokawa joined the faculty in 1988. He teaches and conducts research on the Victorian novel, literary theory and criticism, lesbian and gay literary theory, and Asian-American literature. He served as a faculty fellow and freshman adviser at Rockefeller College from 1989 to 1994 and has been a fellow at Wilson College since 1995.

Despite his involvement with the residential college system, Nunokawa said he has never desired an administrative position. "I thought about it as much as I thought about buying a bus or something," he said. But he added that the unexpected nature of his appointment has not dampened his enthusiasm for his temporary position.

"I plan on eating every meal there," he said, referring to the Rocky dining hall. "My heart leaps up every time I eat there."

Nunokawa said Malkiel first contacted him about the position a few weeks ago.

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"I actually sat down and thought about it for a while," Nunokawa said of his reaction when Malkiel asked him to take the position. "I felt like there are parts of it that I'd be very good at, and there are parts that I'd be very terrible at." The Yale graduate was hesitant about taking the job because it will take time away from teaching, as he will only be able to continue one of his classes during the next academic year.

"My main purpose is teaching and writing," he said. "That was the one thing that gave me pause. No matter how you put it, it means less time in the classroom."

After some persuasion from Malkiel, however, he said he came to see his role as interim master as "a different way of teaching."

"I know how to communicate with students in ways that are fun and respectful for both sides," Nunokawa said.

Nunokawa's main goal is to create a "genuine community" in Rocky, he said. He added that he looks forward to planning dinner lectures with scientists, artists and other faculty to stimulate the intellectual community of students.

As for specific plans for Rocky's future, Nunokawa said he is still in the brainstorming process.

"I'm really trying to focus on just driving the bus, just the perimeters of the task itself," Nunokawa said. "I'm going to need a lot of guidance about how to run such a big ship."