Daniel Vivian Named Next Chair of UK Historic Preservation Department

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 19, 2017) — The University of Kentucky College of Design has announced the appointment of Daniel Vivian as the new chair of the Department of Historic Preservation. Vivian, a historian and preservation specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the field, comes to UK from the University of Louisville (UofL), where he most recently served as an associate professor in the Department of History.

“I am thrilled to be joining the College of Design and look forward to leading the Department of Historic Preservation at a time when the field is rethinking fundamental concepts and grappling with new challenges,” Vivian said. “Some 20 years ago, when I decided to pursue a career in preservation, I had no idea I might eventually find myself teaching at one of the nation’s premier programs. The UK historic preservation program has long been recognized for outstanding teaching, research and community engagement. I look forward to continuing these traditions and working with the faculty to set new agendas and expand UK’s profile in the field.”

In addition to his role as professor, Vivian also served as the director of the public history program at UofL. In this position, he helped prepare students for careers in museums, historic preservation and historical administration. Vivian received the 2014 Victor A. Olorunsola Endowed Research Award for Young Scholars and has been named a “Faculty Favorite” for excellence in teaching on four occasions.

“The changing and expanding definition of historic preservation was one of the most palpable opportunities that I recognized when I first assumed the dean’s position in the College of Design,” Dean Mitzi Vernon said. “Dan brings to us, not only scholarship and hands-on experience in the field, but a visible excitement and impulse to expand the program and our ability to enhance the public understanding of preservation — in his words, the very meaning of our past.

“His emphasis on community-engaged scholarship and culturally significant research made him the clear choice to lead the Department of Historic Preservation into its next phase of development. This is the perfect transition from the current leadership and dedication of Allison Carll-White, who will be stepping down as chair this summer.

“For the past several years that Allison has led the program, she has positioned it perfectly for its pending online and campus growth,” Dean Vernon said. “Her continued excitement for the Department of Historic Preservation will help ensure a robust accession as we plan for the program’s expansion.”