The following message from Provost Brian McGee regarding leadership of the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs was shared on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018:

Dear Campus Community:

Interim President Stephen C. Osborne and I are pleased to announce that Dr. Timothy S. Johnson will become the permanent dean of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs, effective Nov. 1, 2018. With this appointment, Dr. Johnson becomes the fourth dean in the history of the school. 

According to President Osborne, “Dr. Johnson has my full confidence and enthusiastic support as dean of LCWA. I appreciate his deep commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to the internationalization of our student experience, which will further distinguish the type of graduate we produce at the College. As he has proven over the past 18 months, he is both an outstanding scholar and a visionary academic leader. With Dr. Johnson as dean, I expect many more great things for LCWA and the College of Charleston in the years to come.”

The selection of Dr. Johnson as permanent dean follows consultations with department chairs, program directors and other faculty of the school. As noted by Dr. Mark del Mastro, professor and chair of the Department of Hispanic Studies, “In his nearly two years since nobly agreeing to assume the position of interim dean of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs, Tim Johnson has taken impressive charge of the school and provided strong leadership. His vision, tireless dedication and effective collaboration across programs and departments have earned him broad support from LCWA faculty and great enthusiasm for the future of this outstanding school.”

 A tenured professor of Classics, Dr. Johnson has served as the interim dean of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs since early 2017. Dr. Johnson previously was chair of the Department of Classics, a position he held for almost six years. Prior to joining the College, Dr. Johnson was a member of the faculty at Truman State University, Baylor University and the University of Florida. He holds a doctoral degree in Classical philology from the University of Illinois and also has studied at the University of Kentucky, the University of Pennsylvania and Grace College (Indiana). 

A specialist in Classical lyric poetry and Horatian studies, Dr. Johnson has authored two books on the Roman lyricist Horace, along with many scholarly journal articles. Dr. Johnson has been a member of the editorial boards for the Classical Journal, the Bryn Mawr Classical Review and the Religious Studies Review.

Dr. Silvia Montiglio, Basil L. Gildersleeve Professor of Classics at Johns Hopkins University, indicates that, as a scholar, Dr. Johnson’s “work on Horace has broken new ground and shows a great literary sensitivity and critical insight.” Montiglio also observes that the College of Charleston will be happy with Dr. Johnson as dean: “Tim is an excellent listener and he is never stingy with his time. He also has a much-needed sense of humor and the ability to face challenges gracefully.”

Dr. Johnson’s teaching career has covered a variety of courses, including the Greek and Latin languages, with a special focus on the relationship between literature and politics. He has frequently led study-abroad programs in Rome and southern Italy. 

As I noted in 2017, Dr. Johnson is the first Classicist in over 40 years to serve as a dean at the College of Charleston. C. Hilburn Womble, professor of Classical studies, was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College from 1970 to 1975. 

Please join me in thanking Dr. Johnson for taking on this important leadership role and for his tireless work on behalf of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs. He exemplifies the teacher-scholar model of the College of Charleston, and we all continue to benefit and learn from our work with him. 

Cordially,

 

Brian

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs