Pomona College announced its selection of acclaimed author Jonathan Lethem for the Roy Disney Professorship in Creative Writing Friday.

Lethem is best known for his novels Motherless Brooklyn, which won the 1999 National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction, and The Fortress of Solitude, named one of the decade’s ten baest fiction books by Salon Magazine in 2009.

The announcement was the culmination of a months-long selection process to replace the late David Foster Wallace, who held the position from 2002 until his death in 2008.

Lethem is expected to be officially appointed to the position after approval by the Cabinet, which consists of all full professors, in the first week of May, and by the Board of Trustees at their May 15 meeting. He will begin teaching in the spring of 2011 and will teach three courses a year, both an introductory and advanced creative writing workshop as well as a topic based seminar class.

There were over 75 applicants for the position, eventually narrowed down to three finalists who interviewed on campus in February and March. Each candidate taught a sample fiction writing workshop, which was observed by English faculty members, and gave an open reading.

In order to make their selection, Pomona’s English department met multiple times during the weeks before Spring Break. Based on interviews with the candidates and student feedback, the department made its decision and submitted their recommendation to the Dean of the College. The choice was also approved by the Faculty Personnel Committee, which was required to approve the hiring decision because the position carries tenure and rank. Pomona extended an offer to Lethem shortly after.

English Department Chair Kevin Dettmar said Lethem was selected because of his ability as a teacher and his enthusiasm to be a part of the school.

“There was a real sense that he wanted to be part of an intellectual, scholarly community,” he said. “People felt comfortable that Jonathan wanted to be a vital part of what happens here.”

Dettmar added Lethem was eager to return to Pomona College as a faculty member.

“I know he’s really excited, and their family is really excited,” he said.