Provost Chaden Djalali announces search committee for director of Ohio University Press

Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Chaden Djalali has announced that the search committee for Ohio University’s next director of Ohio University Press has been formed.

The search committee, which was created through consultations with President M. Duane Nellis and EVPP Dr. Djalali, has created a position description. Professor Joseph McLaughlin, English, Faculty Senate chair; and Lorna Jean (L.J.) Edmonds, vice provost for global affairs and director of the Center for International Studies, have agreed to serve as co-chairs. 

In the coming months, the University will conduct a nationwide search to begin actively recruiting qualified applicants. Early next semester, the search committee will assist EVPP Djalali with selecting a final pool of candidates to bring to campus for interviews.

The current director of Ohio University Press, Gillian Berchowitz, is retiring after 30 years of working for the Press in various capacities. Under her leadership, the Press has had continued success in publishing superb scholarship that has been recognized nationally and internationally. 

“In her role as director, Gillian has demonstrated the Press’s commitment to multicultural scholarship and has reaffirmed the University’s dedication to intellectual diversity,” said President Nellis. “She was instrumental in building up the African studies publishing program and has been an outstanding leader. We thank her for her many years of service.”

Ohio University Press is the oldest scholarly press in Ohio. It was incorporated in 1947 and formally organized in 1964 by President Vernon Alden. The Press has a staff of about 12 and publishes between 45-50 titles a year, generating more than $1 million in annual book sales. 

“The literature published by the Press includes highly scholarly works, nationally-acclaimed fiction books, murder mysteries and so much more,” said EVPP Djalali. “Ohio University Press is an extremely valuable asset to the University and we look forward to finding a director who will continue to build upon Gillian’s phenomenal work.” 

Members of the search committee include: 

• Howard Dewald, Professor, Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Planning

• Lorna Jean (L.J.) Edmonds, Professor, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and International Studies

• Joseph McLaughlin, Associate Professor, Faculty Senate Chair

• Beth Quitslund, OUP Editorial Board member, Professor, Interim Associate Dean of the Graduate College

• David Wanczyk, Special Programs Coordinator and Editor, New Ohio Review

• Geoff Buckley, Professor, former OUP Editorial Board member

• Joseph Miller, Professor Emeritus of African History at the University of Virginia

• Nancy Stevens, Professor of Biomedical Sciences

• Andrew Howard, Doctoral Student, History, Contemporary History Institute 

• Sebastian Biot, Market System Analyst and Design Manager, Ohio University Press