Professor of History Jeff Bowman has been named associate provost, effective July 1, 2017.
Over the course of his 20-year career at Kenyon, Bowman has served as chair of the Department of History, chair of the faculty, and member and chair of the Tenure and Promotion Committee. He also has distinguished himself as a valuable member of many ad hoc College committees, chairing the search for a dean of students in 2016 and co-chairing the Student Housing Review committee.
“Jeff Bowman has been a terrific leader in the faculty, providing a broad and eloquently articulated vision of the importance of liberal education to young people at this time of rapid change in the world economy. Moreover, he has a demonstrated track record of doing the work, whether as faculty chair, department chair or a committee member or chair. I very much look forward to working with Jeff,” Provost Joseph L. Klesner said.
Bowman succeeds Associate Professor of English Ivonne García, whose two-year term as associate provost expires this summer.
“Ivonne García has been an exemplary member of the provost’s office team, always keeping Kenyon focused on the student body of the future and working to build the institutional infrastructure to support the more diverse student body we will without doubt enroll in coming years,” Klesner said. “Her commitment to mentoring students of color and first-generation students is unparalleled. That the senior class chose her to give the Baccalaureate address testifies to the students’ appreciation of her impact on Kenyon.”
Bowman’s duties as associate provost will include overseeing academic policies and serving as liaison to faculty departments, programs and governance committees. He also will assist with faculty recruitment and the faculty evaluation process. As associate provost, Bowman will serve as a member of Senior Staff to advise President Sean Decatur.
“I’m delighted and honored by the appointment,” Bowman said. “I’m inspired by my colleagues who have served in the past and currently serve with such dedication and imagination in the provost’s office. I look forward to working with the energetic and collaborative team in Bailey House in supporting the teaching, scholarship and art of my faculty colleagues.”
Bowman joined Kenyon’s faculty in 1997 and was promoted to full professor in 2010. He teaches courses related to Europe and the Mediterranean between the fourth and 16th centuries, the history of Spain and Portugal, and medieval travel narratives.
Bowman earned his bachelor’s degree from Carleton College and two master’s degrees as well as his doctorate in medieval studies from Yale. In addition to writing 15 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, Bowman authored a book, “Shifting Landmarks: Property, Proof, and Dispute in Catalonia around the Year 1000,” which won the 2005 American Historical Association Premio del Rey Book Prize. Bowman also serves as a council member of the American Historical Association.