About Ruth and Lee Munroe

To honor two of its most distinguished and beloved professors, Pitzer College established the Ruth and Lee Munroe Center for Social Inquiry (MCSI). This recognizes the work of the late Robert “Lee” Munroe and the late Ruth Hagberg Munroe. Both were founding faculty members at Pitzer. MCSI honors the Munroes for their commitment to teaching and intercultural studies and their contributions to the “Pitzer Experience.” The Munroes did fieldwork in Central America, East Africa, American Samoa, and Nepal. They were widely published and earned the gratitude of their students. The Munroes included students in their research, publications, and presentations. They also welcomed students into their hearts and home.

MCSI pursues interdisciplinary learning and public inquiry embodied in their lives and service. MCSI does this through public events and lectures, which are open to the Pitzer community and the public. MCSI expands upon the Munroes’ legacy of making scientific research and scholarly inquiry integral to a Pitzer education. MCSI also allows student fellows to research topics within the Center’s theme each year.

Biographical Profiles

Lee Munroe was a founding member of Pitzer College’s faculty in 1964. His academic specialty was cross-cultural human development. As a professor of anthropology, he included students in his work through his Research Apprentice program. In this program, students participated and collaborated in cross-cultural analysis and co-authored papers.

Ruth Hagberg Munroe was a founding member of Pitzer College’s faculty in 1964. She was a professor of psychology with a distinguished career as a developmental psychologist. She investigated the issues of cultural influences on human and childhood development.