Welcome to the Office of the Alumni Chair in Humanities
The Alumni Chair in Humanities provides leadership in establishing the humanities in the curriculum and in the broader intellectual life of the community; assists other humanities faculty in developing interdisciplinary courses; organizes humanities symposia; conducts research in the humanities; manages the humanities library fund; and maintains a visible presence for the humanities on the campus.
I am grateful to the National Endowment for the Humanities and to the University of Dayton alumni who provided the endowed funds to establish and maintain the office and its programs and activities. I am also grateful to the first four UD faculty members who held the Chair. Professor Eugene August (English), Professor Michael Barnes (Religious Studies), Professor Richard Benedum (Music), and Professor John Heitmann (History) set high standards for the work of the Chair. Their effectiveness in promoting the centrality of the humanities on the UD campus is inestimable and has laid the groundwork for all those who follow them in the Office.
I hope you'll take a moment to explore this web site. The primary purpose of the site is to provide information for UD faculty, students, and staff on the resources and support that the Office can provide.
Please contact us if we can be of assistance.
Patricia A. Johnson
Professor of Philosophy
Alumni Chair in Humanities
History
Alumni Chairs
Eugene R. August
1993-97
Michael H. Barnes
1997-2001
Richard P. Benedum
2001-05
John A. Heitmann
2005-09
Patricia A. Johnson
2009-13
Ellen L. Fleischmann
2013
For More Information
Humanities Symposium
The Humanities Symposium promotes the centrality of the humanities on the UD campus. Each Alumni Chair in Humanities organizes four symposia over the course of his or her term.
The most recent symposium featured:
20th Annual Humanities Symposium
Inventing Identity
February 26, 2013: Dr. Laura Vorachek
"Playing Italian: Cross-Cultural Dress and Investigative Journalism at the Fin de Siècle"
March 5, 2013: Dr. Jana Bennett
"Theology of the Cyborgs: Inventing Identity on the Internet"
March 12, 2013: Dr. Caroline Merithew
"Perplexities Enough: Agnes Burns Wieck and Making Class Disability"
March 19, 2013: Dr. Ellen Fleischmann
"Found in Translation: Identity, Authenticity and Power in Representing “Other” Women"
For More Information
Faculty Resources
The Alumni Chair in the Humanities offers a variety of resources for faculty.
Computer Program Assistance
We can provide assistance with Microsoft Office and general computer usage.
Research Assistance
If you would like assistance with research related to issues of diversity, contact Dr. Patricia A. Johnson, Alumni Chair in Humanities.
Audio & Video Resources
Videos and DVDs purchased through The Endowed Fund for the Alumni Chair in Humanities are now catalogued in Roesch Library. Those used most frequently by faculty in the Humanities Building are housed in HM 466. The remaining videos and DVDs are housed with the Library holdings. The location is indicated on the catalogue listing.
We now have an electronic check-out system. Please bring your University ID card to obtain materials housed in HM 466.
The following databases have been purchased through the endowed fund and are accessible through the Library:
- The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music On-line (Alexander Street Press)
- American History in Video (Alexander Street Press)
- British and Irish Women's Letters and Diaries (Alexander Street Press)
- North American Women's Letters and Diaries (Alexander Street Press)
- African American Newspapers, 1827-1998, digital edition (Readex)
- The March of Time (Alexander Street Press)
Library Funds
Funds are available for purchasing books and other educational materials that relate in some way to the humanities and that serve interdisciplinary and diversity needs. We can help with the purchasing of books that do not readily fit into departmental categories or budgets. All books that are purchased through this fund are housed in Roesch Library. We can also purchase videos and DVDs with these funds.
To make a purchase request:
- Please check to make sure the library doesn't already own a copy.
- For a book purchase, submit the request to your department liaison for approval. Please send the title, edition, ISBN, Publisher, date of publication, source of information and cost to Heidi Haas in the Office of the Alumni Chair in Humanities.
- For a DVD purchase, contact Heidi Haas with the title, cost and distributor or website where the DVD can be purchased. Please copy your liaison on the e-mail so your department knows you made the request.
Contact Us
Phone Number
937-229-3490
Fax Number
937-229-4400
Location
466 Humanities Center
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-1549