2008 Woodie Awards
University of Nebraska press director sets sights on SUNY
Alina Selyukh
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: News
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Gary Dunham says that thinking inside of the box is not for him. He loves new.
Born in a Maine village with a population of 17, he was a first-generation doctorate recipient with a full scholarship. He excavated early Roman sites in Italy and Monacan tribal artifacts in Virginia. He moved to the Midwest to edit books both on and by American Indians with the University of Nebraska.
After 13 years with the Nebraska Press as an editor and three as a director, Dunham is ready for a new step: a move back east to join one of the largest presses in the country at State University of New York.
"In many ways it's a promotion," he said. "But people have known for a long time that there was a good chance I'd be going back to the East Coast. My home and my family are there."
Once the university announces a new director, Dunham said he will help his successor gradually take over. There will be no chaos or disruption, nothing "ridiculous."
"You won't even notice I'm gone."
But Ladette Randolph, NU Press associate director, disagreed.
"It's a tremendous opportunity, but we will miss Gary. I think we're in a little bit of denial."
Randolph and Dunham have worked together for eight years helping to keep the NU Press rolling, publishing about 180 books a year.
Both were there when NU Press was a million dollars in the red. When Dunham was appointed the director and needed to get the press back on its feet, they were there.
They had to make sacrifices; they had to fire six employees and move to a smaller office.
Dunham remembers that "black day," Feb. 3, 2005.
"I laid off some people, who were my friends," he said. "It was the hardest day of my life."
So hard, in fact, that he went to the bathroom and got sick a few times.
"When the university offered me the job," he said, "I knew there was a rocky road ahead, but I knew I could be the one to do it. (This press) is my heart and soul."
He was steadily present, familiar and respected at the press, Randolph said. And his systematic, strategic coping with the tough times was calming.
Born in a Maine village with a population of 17, he was a first-generation doctorate recipient with a full scholarship. He excavated early Roman sites in Italy and Monacan tribal artifacts in Virginia. He moved to the Midwest to edit books both on and by American Indians with the University of Nebraska.
After 13 years with the Nebraska Press as an editor and three as a director, Dunham is ready for a new step: a move back east to join one of the largest presses in the country at State University of New York.
"In many ways it's a promotion," he said. "But people have known for a long time that there was a good chance I'd be going back to the East Coast. My home and my family are there."
Once the university announces a new director, Dunham said he will help his successor gradually take over. There will be no chaos or disruption, nothing "ridiculous."
"You won't even notice I'm gone."
But Ladette Randolph, NU Press associate director, disagreed.
"It's a tremendous opportunity, but we will miss Gary. I think we're in a little bit of denial."
Randolph and Dunham have worked together for eight years helping to keep the NU Press rolling, publishing about 180 books a year.
Both were there when NU Press was a million dollars in the red. When Dunham was appointed the director and needed to get the press back on its feet, they were there.
They had to make sacrifices; they had to fire six employees and move to a smaller office.
Dunham remembers that "black day," Feb. 3, 2005.
"I laid off some people, who were my friends," he said. "It was the hardest day of my life."
So hard, in fact, that he went to the bathroom and got sick a few times.
"When the university offered me the job," he said, "I knew there was a rocky road ahead, but I knew I could be the one to do it. (This press) is my heart and soul."
He was steadily present, familiar and respected at the press, Randolph said. And his systematic, strategic coping with the tough times was calming.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kathleen Marshall
posted 10/12/07 @ 9:36 AM CST
Dr. Gary Dunham has had a tremendously positive influence on the Press. He will be greatly missed. However, life goes on and Ladette Randolf is more than qualified to assume the role of Director. (Continued…)
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