The Athenaeum of Philadelphia announced Peter Conn as Executive Director, which took effect on January 1, 2016.
Dr. Conn, Emeritus Professor of English and Education at the University of Pennsylvania, earned his Ph.D. from Yale University. He is the author of numerous works on American literature and culture, including The American 1930s: A Literary History; Literature in America: An Illustrated History; and Pearl S. Buck: A Cultural Biography, which was named a “Notable Book” by the New York Times and won the Athenaeum Award.
“The Athenaeum is a jewel in Philadelphia’s cultural crown,” Dr. Conn said in response to his appointment. “It will be a privilege to play a leadership role as this fine institution embarks on its third century.”
A John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellow, Dr. Conn has directed National Endowment for the Humanities seminars for college and high school teachers and was the recipient of an NEH Humanities Focus grant. He has won numerous teaching awards, including the university’s senior teaching prize, the Lindback Award. He has received the Exemplary Leadership Award of the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
At Penn, Dr. Conn served as Dean of the College, graduate chair of English and American Civilization, founding director of Civic House, and Deputy and Interim Provost. He has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including the Welcome House adoption agency and the Philadelphia chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“We are all truly excited at the prospects of Dr. Conn’s focusing his many skills on the potential for further growth and development that awaits this grand, 201-year-old institution,” said Robert E. Linck, Board President.
From: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia January Newsletter