Pryor Center Announces New Director of Education, Research and Outreach

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William Schwab

The David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences has named William Schwab as its new director of education, research and outreach.

Schwab is a University Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology who previously served as dean of the Fulbright College from 2008-2011, associate dean from 1993-1998, and was chair of the department twice, from 1989-1993 and from 1998-2008.

In his new role, Schwab will help the Pryor Center expand upon its mission of education, research and outreach, and collaborate more closely with Fulbright College's faculty and students.

Randy Dixon, director of the Pryor Center, said he is excited about the opportunities Schwab's new role will present.

"Bill is a great addition to the Pryor Center team, particularly as we focus on creating stronger connections with the academic side of the university, and our community," Dixon said. "The Pryor Center is a valuable resource, and for anyone who wants to learn about oral and visual history and how to produce it — this is the place to be."

Schwab said he is excited that Fulbright College is once again home to Pryor Center, and that the center's facilities and archives are invaluable for teaching and research.

"The people of Arkansas will benefit as well, as the center's series like Arkansas Memories, Pryor Center Presents lectures, and other audio and video collections will be more widely available. My role is to facilitate these changes," Schwab said.

This fall, Schwab said the upcoming slate of Pryor Center Presents events will feature the Department of English's Bob Cochran talking about An Arkansas Florilegium: The Atlas of Botanist Edwin Smith Illustrated by Naturalist Kent Bonar, the Department of Political Science's Janine Parry exploring how Arkansas shifted from a "Blue" to "Red" state, and the Department of Music's Lisa Margulis discussing how music affects a listener's brain.

Additionally, Schwab said Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes will be meeting at the Pryor Center this fall, along with several local non-profits, including the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, which will also hold its board retreat at the center.

Fulbright College and Honors College classes will also be taught at the Pryor Center, by the School of Journalism and Strategic Media's Larry Foley this fall and by the Department of English's Sidney Burris this spring.

"We are very excited about the great future the Pryor Center has ahead, and I am confident Bill will prove essential in realizing the center's vision and mission through his leadership in the areas of education, research and outreach," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College.

For more information and updates, visit the Pryor Center's website at pryorcenter.uark.edu.