About

The Malcolm M. Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium honors Malcolm M. Renfrew (1910-2013), an esteemed chemist, teacher, artist, trombonist, philanthropist and Vandal.

During his long and productive life, Renfrew combined an interest in science with enduring interests in the arts and humanities. An important and influential chemist and teacher, Renfrew was also an accomplished painter. His robust curiosity made Renfrew a fixture in the early years of the University Interdisciplinary Colloquium, which was renamed on his 100th birthday in 2010. The accompanying photo was taken that day.

The series coordinators acknowledged Renfrew’s interdisciplinary life and influence through the weekly colloquium that features presentations by faculty, emeritus faculty, graduate students and visiting scholars. Each year, the series will host a Renfrew Lecture to bridge the two cultures of science and the humanities and arts.