Statement From Dean Glaser on the Passing of Professor Jonathan Kenny

TIE would like to relay the below message from Dean Glaser:

“It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Jonathan Kenny, Professor in the Department of Chemistry, passed away unexpectedly on December 9 at the age of 67.

Jonathan began his nearly 40-year career in the Tufts Chemistry department in 1981 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Wesleyan University. Previously he had received his BS from University of Notre Dame and PhD from the University of Chicago. Jonathan is remembered by his colleagues as a dedicated and passionate teacher to the undergraduate and graduate students who took his physical and environmental chemistry courses. He was an engaged and supportive advisor to his academic advisees, and a mentor and collaborator to the many students who performed research under his supervision.

During his time at Tufts, Jonathan’s research focused on using fluorescence-based methods to tackle fundamental problems in photochemistry and applied problems, most notably in environmental sensing of groundwater contaminants. Other research projects included supersonic jet spectroscopy and calculation of the effects of greenhouse gases on global climate. He and his group published actively, including in The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Water, and Analytical Chemistry.

In both his research and scholarship work and his community involvement, Jonathan was also an advocate for environmental issues. He was active in a wide range of related initiatives at Tufts, including being a member of the executive committee for the Environmental Science Program.”

We extend our thoughts and deepest condolences to the Kenny family during this time. We will be releasing a joint statement from TIE, the Environmental Studies Program, and the Office of Sustainability. Please read more here: https://now.tufts.edu/articles/remembering-professor-jonathan-kenny