Professor nominated by Bush to head Endowment for Humanities

President George W. Bush has nominated Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts Bruce Cole to chair the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).\nIn a press release, IU President Myles Brand called the nomination an affirmation of IU's leadership role in national academic affairs.\nCole, a member of the faculty since 1973, was previously a member of the National Council on the Humanities and is the chair of the Art History department. He has published 12 books, including a collection of articles called "Studies in Italian Art 1250-1550." \nAs a presidential nominee, Cole said protocol dictates he not comment to the press. But Cole's colleagues had plenty to say about his appointment and his achievements. Among them was researcher Lynne Munson, author of the book "Exhibitionism: Art in an Era of Intolerance." Munson said the NEH has gone rather far afield from "supporting important research," and Cole will likely change the organization's direction toward scholarship of a more traditional, objective and excellent sort. Munson said she and many other scholars believe "Professor Cole is at the absolute top of his discipline in terms of his own scholarship. He was also the first art historian to serve on the national council," Munson said. "Professor Cole was a particularly dedicated council member. Professor Cole came to every single meeting he was required to attend. He just really used that experience to its utmost. I have to assume it made him an ideal candidate."\nFormer Dean of Arts & Sciences Mort Lowengrub, now Dean of Academic Affairs at Yeshiva University, appointed Cole to chair the Art History Department six years ago. Lowengrub described Cole as a role model who was admired by his colleagues and students alike. \n"The man published 12 books, he was promoted to the distinguished rank of professor, he had Guggenheim awards, he produced many graduate students who went on to extensive careers in the history of art," Lowengrub said. "Undergraduates flocked to his classes. He had all the credentials of an outstanding teacher and scholar."\nCole's nomination is pending approval by the Senate.