He will officially begin with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research on Friday, according to a University press release.
Comentale is currently the director of undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
He has also served as the interim director of the College Arts and Humanities Institute, where he oversaw campus-wide events. One event was the visit by novelist Margaret Atwood, which included special classes, a Lilly Library exhibit, a symposium and a campus ?reading group.
“I’m excited to serve as ambassador and advocate for the arts and humanities at IU,” Comentale said in the release.
“My colleagues in these areas have made a significant impact on public life — in culture, politics, the sciences and the professions — and now it’s time to promote their larger story.”
Comentale is looking to establish collaborative research opportunities between the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the College of Arts and Humanities and other units, according to the release.
“The Bloomington campus has remarkable strengths in the arts and humanities — several that are entirely unique to this campus — that can be greatly enhanced by increased collaborations, conversations and connections,” Interim Vice Provost for Research Rick Van Kooten said in the release. “Ed has shown remarkable leadership skills and an ability to work very well with people from vastly varied disciplines.”
He will also be involved in increasing faculty engagement in the Grand Challenges research initiative, according to ?the release.
The initiative is related to global health challenges and is part of IU’s ?strategic plan.
Comentale received his doctorate at State University of New York in Buffalo. He is also the author of several books related to the arts and humanities.
“Ed’s career at IU Bloomington, both as a teacher and as a scholar, has been defined by an intense intellectual curiosity that is the hallmark of education and research in the arts and humanities,” Provost and Executive Vice President Lauren Robel said in the release. “I know that Ed has the scope of vision to implement the arts and humanities goals of the Bicentennial Plan for IU Bloomington in his new role as associate ?vice provost.”
Alison Graham
