Jackson Appointed to UB Endowed Chair In American Culture

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Bruce Jackson, State University of New York Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo, has been appointed to the Samuel P. Capen Chair in American Culture at UB, effective Feb. 1.

The appointment marks what UB President William R. Greiner and Provost Thomas Headrick referred to as "part of a broadly conceived initiative to advance the humanities at UB -- an initiative that we hope circumstances will permit us to implement over the next few years."

Jackson's position as SUNY Distinguished Professor is the highest professorial designation awarded by the State University of New York. Headrick said the new appointment "recognizes the importance of Jackson's teaching and scholarship in the humanities, the role it has played and will continue to play in the intellectual life of the university and the leadership he can contribute to this initiative and to direction for the university."

A professor of English, Jackson directs the UB Center for Studies in American Culture and the UB program in folklore, mythology and film studies.

A former president of the American Folklore Society, he has edited the society's Journal of American Folklore since 1986. Much of his work is devoted to the exploration of methods and means by which social and cultural "truths" are constructed for mass consumption. To this end, he has written extensively on subjects ranging from the American West to life on death row, and has presented and directed workshops and seminars at scores of universities here and abroad.

Jackson is the author of more than 100 articles and book chapters and scores of scholarly papers and booklets. His work has appeared in such popular magazines as Harper's, The Atlantic Monthly, Nation, New Republic, The New York Times and Texas Monthly .

He has written 18 books and produced, directed and edited seven independent documentary films. He has been the recipient of more than 25 major fellowships and grants.

Jackson earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master's degree from Indiana University. A fellow of Harvard University, he also holds certifications from the American Folklore Institute.