Joshua Timothy Katz, Cotsen Professor of Humanities at Princeton University, is a classicalist and linguist specializing in medieval literature and ancient languages.
Born in New York City in 1945, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Classics from the University of Illinois, before earning his doctorate at Harvard in 2007.
His research interests include Greek and Roman civilization, ancient languages, and medieval literature.
Professor Joshua Katz Career at Princeton University
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Professor Joshua Katz has spent more than two decades at Princeton University. He has been a fixture at the school and one of its most popular professors. But his tenure ended on a controversial note. The university’s board of trustees voted to fire him.
The move followed a probe into alleged sexual misconduct between him and a former student. When investigators started looking into the relationship in 2018, Katz made a series of false statements about his conduct.
After he was fired, Katz wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal claiming that his firing was politically motivated. His supporters argued that he was being targeted for criticizing Princeton’s racial politics and policies.
The university ruled that Katz’s actions were inconsistent with his obligations as a member of the Faculty. It also found him to be narcissistic and uncooperative.
Katz’s tenure at the university ended after his wife learned of his termination from a New York Times article. According to the newspaper, the university had not known about the relationship until this year.
Relationship with Clara
According to an investigation by The Daily Princetonian, a number of female students at the university have reported inappropriate behavior by Professor Joshua Katz.
Several of the women interviewed for this story believe that Katz exploited the university’s culture of close mentorship between faculty and undergraduates.
But some of them feared professional consequences for coming forward.
After being asked to participate in the investigation, one former student of Professor Katz declined.
Two other alumnae said they were apprehensive about stepping forward, fearing it could have negative consequences for their careers.
Another alumna told ‘Prince’ that Katz had a “multi-year relationship” with a fellow undergraduate advisee. She described it as an emotionally abusive relationship.
In addition, the prince reviewed emails between Katz and several former students, verifying the key details of the women’s account.
He did not find any evidence that Katz had sexual relations with any of the women. However, he did find evidence of Katz assisting women with fellowship applications.
Mentorship culture at Princeton
The Princeton University Mentoring Program (PUMP) is an international certified mentoring program that pairs first-year students with peer mentors.
Peer mentors are matched based on race, ethnicity, and profession. They act as links to campus resources and help mentees navigate the complexities of first year life.
PUMP offers a variety of programs, including educational workshops and off-campus trips. It also provides one-on-one mentoring to mentees.
A peer-to-peer approach to mentoring fosters a sense of community and empowers individuals. These relationships can be beneficial for both undergraduate and graduate students.
In addition, peer-to-peer mentoring can provide a sense of accountability for both parties.
For example, if a mentee is concerned about a certain academic or career course, they can contact a peer mentor. This helps to break down barriers and foster mutual support.
As part of the ReMatch program, Princeton alumni mentors offer guidance to current and incoming graduate students. They can help mentees overcome challenges and develop leadership skills.
Influence on Jane
Joshua Katz was Princeton’s most renowned linguist. He specialized in Middle Egyptian, Latin and Greek. His expertise was widely regarded as second to none. In addition to his scholarly achievements, Katz was a devoted mentor to students.
After receiving a complaint from an undergraduate advisee, the university arranged for an investigation into the matter.
At the same time, eight alumni disclosed their knowledge of the relationship. A third alumnus in the classics department grew concerned. However, he wasn’t sure if he had to report the situation.
“Jane” admitted that she was upset because of his non-progressive political views. She also claimed that he discouraged her from seeking therapy.
Katz was elected to a powerful faculty committee on advancements. He also served as a trustee of the Princeton University Press.
Katz was accused of misconduct by a female student. Two other unnamed female students also made allegations. These witnesses alleged that Katz had engaged in inappropriate behavior with them.
