The Alumni Chair was established in 1993, with support from a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and matching support from University alumni.

The Alumni Chair in the 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