Tufts was the first in New England to have a Department of Drama and Speech when Marston Doc" Balch established the program in 1940. A professor on the Hill for 35 years, Balch had an impact both on and off campus. One of his former students, Elizabeth Bottomley Noyce (J '52), even donated The Marston S. Balch Arena Theatre in 1983 in his honor.
During his time at Tufts from 1935 to 1966, Balch directed and produced approximately 100 plays, many of which he personally translated from French and presented in the United States for the first time. During his time at Tufts, Balch published at least 40 scholarly articles, 60 articles for the Tufts theater publication Prologue and six books.
According to Sol Gittleman, the Alice and Nathan Gantcher University Professor of Judaic Studies and former provost, Balch was stylish as well as worldly.
"He was the best-dressed, most dapper and stylish member of [the] faculty ... [with his] great mustache, terrific waistcoats [and] elegant[ly] spoken English. Never a dandy
