Vol. 38, No. 18

4-7-2004
By: David Bhaerman

Roberts named dean of humanities

Barbara Snyder, interim executive vice president and provost, has asked President Karen Holbrook to recommend the appointment of John Roberts, currently associate dean of the College of Humanities and professor of English, as dean of the college. Subject to approval of the Board of Trustees, the appointment will be effective June 1.

“John’s knowledge of Ohio State and his strengths as a scholar and an administrator made it clear that he was the best person to advance the agenda of the college in alignment with the university’s mission,” Snyder said. “I am confident that he will be an outstanding leader of the College of Humanities.”

Roberts is the author of three books and a number of scholarly articles published in peer-reviewed journals. He is a folklore specialist and has taught all levels of undergraduate and graduate courses.

Roberts joined Ohio State’s faculty in 1996 as a professor of English and in 1998 was appointed chair of the Department of African American and African Studies. He took a leave of absence to spend two years as the deputy chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. In 2003, he was appointed associate dean of the College of Humanities. He has served on numerous departmental, college and university committees.

“I am delighted that Dr. Roberts has agreed to serve his college and university as dean,” said Holbrook. “He has excellent academic experience as well as invaluable national experience as the deputy chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. He will be a partner among the group of the federation of deans.”

Prior to coming to Ohio State, Roberts taught at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a fellow of the American Folklore Society and served as the society’s president from 1997-99 and also as the president of the Association of African and African American Folklorists from 1989-97. He has served on several other prestigious national committees and boards, including the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the Board of Directors of the University of Pennsylvania Press, and the Board of the Smithsonian Institution’s Folklife and Cultural Studies Programs.

“I am excited about working with the faculty and staff of the college to make certain that it remains a center of academic excellence on a campus where diverse ideas and people are welcomed and respected,” Roberts said.

Roberts holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Tusculum College, a master’s degree in English from Columbia University, and a doctorate in English from Ohio State. The Office of Academic Affairs conducted a national search to seek applications for the position, Snyder said.

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