James Postma

Jim Postma’s connections to CSU, Chico began when he was an undergraduate student, obtaining his chemistry degree in 1974. He received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Davis and then returned to join the faculty of the CSU, Chico chemistry department in 1982. He teaches general, physical, and analytical chemistry courses as well as having served as department chair from 1998 to 2004.

Jim has served in a variety of roles on the CSU, Chico Academic Senate since 1984. He has served the Senate as secretary and chair of the Educational Policies and Procedures Committee, as secretary of the Senate, as chair of the Faculty and Student Policies Committee, and as its chair from 1991 to 1993 and then again from 2002 to 2003. He continues to serve on the Senate Executive Committee as its secretary. He also served a term as one of CSU, Chico's representatives to the Statewide Academic Senate from 1993 to 1997.

Professor Postma is the co-author (along with Julian L. Roberts and J. Leland Hollenberg of the University of Redlands) of Chemistry in the Laboratory, a widely used laboratory text for freshman general chemistry courses. It is now in its sixth edition.

Jim’s service to the CSU, Chico community has ranged widely, including service on the General Education Advisory Committee, the Campus Planning Committee, Library Resources Committee, and the Arboretum Committee. He headed up the campus component of the search committee that hired President Manual Esteban and helped to organize the search committee that resulted in bringing President Zingg to Chico. He served on the Executive Officer Selection and Review Committee that recommended Provost McNall to the provost position.

Dr. Postma’s service extends outside the University as well. He is the chief science officer of a local start-up company, Advanced Light Technologies. He served on the board of directors of Schloss Mittersill Christian Conferences and Study Center, located in the Austrian Alps. Jim’s interests also extend into various aspects of science education, and he is the chair of the advisory board of the California Science Project.

In his 23rd year as a faculty member Jim continues his active service. In addition to serving as the secretary of the Academic Senate he also served as the faculty representative to the University Foundation Board of Governors for the past eight years.

Jim is married to a CSU, Chico alumnae, Bev (computer science, 1975) and has two daughters, also alumnae, Sarah (chemistry, 2004) and Annalisa (English, 2005) so his connections to the campus will likely continue long into the future.