Herbert Edwin Hawkes

Herbert Edwin Hawkes was an American mathematician and educator who served as Dean of Columbia College from 1918 to 1943, the longest tenure in its history, during which he championed the liberal arts and played a key role in developing the Core Curriculum, including courses like Contemporary Civilization and Literature Humanities.[1][2][4][5] A defender of traditional undergraduate education, he opposed pre-professional tracks that would shorten degree programs.[1] His leadership spanned both World Wars and periods of significant institutional growth at Columbia University.[4]