Rate My Professor Beth Montemurro

Beth Montemurro is the Distinguished Professor of Sociology in the Psychological and Social Sciences Department at Pennsylvania State University Abington. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of Georgia in 2001 and 1998, respectively, and her B.A. in Sociology from Manhattan College in 1994. With nearly two decades at Penn State Abington, Montemurro was elevated to distinguished professor status in 2020, acknowledging her leadership in elevating teaching, research, and service standards.

Her scholarly work centers on gender and sexuality, including sexuality across the life course, aging, weddings, marriage, popular culture, and symbolic interactionism, employing qualitative methodologies such as in-depth interviews. Key publications include her trilogy of books from Rutgers University Press: Something Old, Something Bold: Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties (2006), which examines pre-wedding rituals; Deserving Desire: Women’s Stories of Sexual Evolution (2014), exploring women's sexual development; and Getting It, Having It, Keeping It Up: Straight Men’s Sexuality in Public and Private (2022), analyzing heterosexual men's sexual narratives. Montemurro has authored or co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals like Sexualities, Men and Masculinities, Journal of Women and Aging, and Symbolic Interaction, often mentoring undergraduate co-authors.

Montemurro's excellence in education is evidenced by her designation as a 2025 Penn State Teaching Fellow, receiving the Alumni/Student Award for Excellence in Teaching, alongside prior honors: the 2015 Abington Outstanding Scholar Award, 2008 Abington Outstanding Teacher Award, and 2009-2011 Career Development Professorship. Her research has influenced broader discussions, featured in media such as Time, The New York Times, BBC News, Brides, and Elle. She teaches courses on social problems, gender, qualitative methods, and sexuality.