Working at Earlham College

Earlham is a selective national liberal arts college founded in 1847. Earlham's affiliation with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) informs our emphasis on seeking the truth wherever it leads, respect for persons, learning from and with one another, conflict management and peacemaking, diversity, global education and on international experience. 

• Earlham's 1,019 students are bright, eager and hardworking; they report significantly higher numbers of books read, papers written, interaction with professors, and other predictors of successful educational outcomes than are reported nationally.

• Earlham graduates pursue advanced degrees at a high rate. Between 1992 and 2006, 10 percent of Earlham College graduates completed doctoral degrees. In fact, Earlham is 29th among 1,533 U.S. institutions in the percentage of graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s; 10th, in biological sciences. Many Earlham alumni are deeply and personally committed to social action and to trying to improve the world. (These findings are based on the Weighted Baccalaureate Origins Study for 1992-2006 provided by the Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium. Rankings reflect relative size of institutions.)

• Faculty at Earlham rate their working environment highly, citing the match between the College's mission and their own sense of personal and professional aims. Our governance structure emphasizes collaboration and consultation. The Faculty Meeting and all committees operate by consensus-seeking rather than by voting.

• Earlham's faculty have created a rich liberal arts curriculum that values interdisciplinary study. The College's recently redesigned General Education Program prepares students for a life of critical knowledge and informed action. Faculty actively lead international study programs in which 70 percent of our students participate for at least a semester.

• The Richmond/Wayne County community of 70,000 is small enough to need and value the contributions and expertise of Earlham faculty and students. Our faculty often provide advice and leadership aimed at improving the quality of life and are involved with educational, environmental, social service, cultural and governmental organizations in Wayne County. In addition, faculty engage Earlham students in community-related research and presentations.

• At the same time, our community is large enough to provide a microcosm of urban challenges. The community enjoys a symphony orchestra, civic theater, art and historical museum, environmental education center, regional arboretum, and miles of improved hiking and nature trails in the geologically rich Ordovician limestone Whitewater River gorge. Five institutions of higher education are located in Richmond and Wayne County: Earlham College, Earlham School of Religion, Bethany Seminary, Indiana University East and Ivy Tech State College.

• Richmond is near three airports: 45 minutes west of Dayton, Ohio; an hour east of Indianapolis; and 75 minutes northwest of Cincinnati.

• For more information about openings, contact Becky Thomas, academic dean and vice president for academic affairs.