In a break with tradition, Balliol College, one of Oxford University’s 35 colleges, has named Baruch S. Blumberg of Philadelphia, Pa., as its next Master. Nobel prizewinner Blumberg is both the first United States citizen and the first scientist elected to head the college, which traditionally chooses scholars from the humanities.
Succeeding medieval philosopher Anthony Kenny, Blumberg, vice president of population oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, will assume the mastership in September 1989. At that time, Kenny will leave to become secretary of the Rhodes Trust, which administers the Rhodes scholarship pro- gram.
In deciding to elect Blumberg, Balliol’s fellows were influenced not only by his distinguished scientific career, but also by his fundraising contacts in U.S. universities and industry. This fall, Oxford will launch an international campaign to raise more than $176 mil- lion. As master, Blumberg will be expected to spend a substantial part of the year ...
