Leitz awarded Ruth Noel Endowed Chair at LSUS
03/22/04

Dr. Robert C. Leitz III, curator of the James Smith Noel Collection in the LSUS Noel Memorial Library, has been awarded the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair for the Curatorship of the James Smith Noel Collection.

The $1 million Noel Chair is the second Endowed Chair for Eminent Scholars at LSUS. It is funded in part by a contribution from Ruth H. Noel, the widow of James Smith Noel, and by the Louisiana Board of Regents. Revenue generated from the endowment will fund public programs, expand collection development and underwrite expenses incurred in research and publication.

Stuart Mills, LSUS provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, served on the committee that conducted a national search for the holder of the Noel Chair. “LSUS is fortunate to have the James Noel Collection, the endowment supporting the collection through the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair, and Professor Robert Leitz to direct these unique resources,” Mills said. “Given his record of scholarship, Dr. Leitz is deserving of this honor, and the importance and prominence of the Collection should grow significantly through his leadership.”

Leitz came to LSUS in 1973 as an assistant professor of English. He was the senior American literature professor at LSUS until 1994, when he was invited to become curator of the Noel Collection, a position he has held for a decade. During his 31 years at LSUS, Leitz has published numerous scholarly articles and 13 books dealing with American authors and 18th Century bibliography.