Dear colleagues,
Please join me in congratulating Laurie Matheson as she retires as director of the University of Illinois Press at the end of May. Laurie started at the Press as a graduate assistant in 1996 while finishing her doctoral degree in choral music and – fortunately for us – never left. Rising through positions as marketing copywriter, acquisitions editor, and editor-in-chief, she became in 2015 the first female director of the Press.
During Laurie’s tenure, the Press’ reputation has strengthened in several important fields of scholarship, including African American history, American music, labor history, women’s history, Asian American studies, film and media studies, and sports history. She has nurtured a culture of inclusion at the Press, resulting in staff-led initiatives that include education, discussions, and group activities. Under her leadership, the Press has expanded its internship offerings for students from across the UI System, often in partnership with UI units.
Laurie and her team collaborated closely with the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) to plan and host the Free People Read Freely Symposium, which took place at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign last August. The impressive lineup of speakers brought together scholars, students, and community members to educate, advocate, and celebrate the freedom to choose what we read. This symposium was the culmination of a multiyear program of biannual publishing workshops presented by the Press.
Laurie has significantly expanded the Press’s fundraising efforts, leading to the establishment of a number of endowed funds and bequests. She also wrote several successful grant applications over the years in support of a range of projects, including expansion of the Press e-book catalog.
In 1920, then-President Edmund J. James said: “The University of Illinois Press is destined to be one of the greatest Presses in the country.” Laurie has been an integral part of realizing President James’ dream. Please join me in thanking Laurie for her contributions and wishing her well in retirement.
A search is in process for the next University of Illinois Press director.
Sincerely,
Nicholas P. Jones
Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs