On September 25, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Adele Logan Alexander, professor of history at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, as a member of the National Council on the Humanities (for a term expiring January 26, 2014). According to the White House press release, Dr. Alexander specializes in African American and family history, gender and social issues and is the author of two award-winning books: Ambiguous Lives: Free Women of Color in Rural Georgia, 1789-1879, and Homelands and Waterways: The American Journey of the Bond Family, 1846-1926. In 2003, she received an Outstanding Lifetime Contribution Award from the African American Historical and Genealogical Society for her studies of family history. She has served on a number of boards, including the District of Columbia's Board of Higher Education, the Historical Society of Washington, and Harvard University's Graduate School of Education's Board of Visitors. The nomination has been received, but not yet acted on, by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The National Council on the Humanities is a board of 26 private citizens charged, by statute, with (1) advising the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities with respect to Endowment policies, programs, and procedures, and with (2) reviewing grant applications and making recommendations to the Chairman. National Council members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve staggered, six-year terms.
Alexander's is the Obama administration's third NEH council nomination. Two earlier nominees are also still awaiting Senate confirmation:
At least two NCH positions are currently vacant, and seats held by an additional 9 Bush appointments will expire January 26, 2010.
