Babson College Welcomes Four New Term Chairs to Faculty Lineup

Babson College is pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished faculty members to new term chair positions. Professor Frederick Douglass Opie has been bestowed the Baldwin Richardson Foods Term Chair, while Professor Tina Opie has been honoured with the Johnson Family Term Chair. Additionally, Erik Noyes has been appointed The Michael London ’92 and Stephen H. Kramer ’92 Term Chair in Entrepreneurship, and Kristen Getchell has received The Karani Term Chair.

These esteemed appointments have been made possible through generous contributions from Eric G. Johnson ’72, P’08, and his family. Johnson, a prominent figure in the food industry as the chairman of Baldwin Richardson Foods Company and a valued member of the Babson College Board of Trustees, has played a pivotal role in making these appointments a reality through his philanthropy.

Professor Fred Opie, a distinguished member of the History & Science Division, is an accomplished author and speaker with extensive expertise in food history, U.S. history, and diaspora history. Professor Tina Opie, an esteemed associate professor of management, has focused her research on the development of inclusive and equitable organizational systems. Both professors have made substantial contributions to their respective fields, and their new appointments serve as a testament to their exceptional work.

Erik Noyes, an associate professor of entrepreneurship, has been recognised with The Michael London ’92 and Stephen H. Kramer ’92 Term Chair in Entrepreneurship. Noyes’ research delves into the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive entrepreneurship and innovation. His groundbreaking work at Babson has garnered widespread acclaim, leading to his well-deserved appointment.

Furthermore, Kristen Getchell, an associate professor of business communications in the Marketing Division, has also been awarded The Karani Term Chair. Getchell’s research, which examines business phenomena through a communication lens, has received significant recognition in the field of business communication. Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2017 and 2021.

Ken Matsuno, the College’s vice president of academic affairs and dean, expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support that has facilitated these appointments. He emphasized the significance of investing in faculty and their scholarship to enhance their impact in the community, underscoring the vital role that term chairs play in advancing academic excellence.

Babson College takes great pride in welcoming these distinguished faculty members to their new roles and looks forward to their continued contributions to the academic community. The appointment of these term chairs serves as a testament to their exemplary work and reflects the College’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education and scholarship.