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The Daily OrangeNative American studies chair plans expansion
By Kelvin Ang
Posted: 5/11/05, 7:59 PM EST Section: News
The Native American Studies program at Syracuse University will expand its curricula and help foster stronger ties between SU and local American Indian communities under a new director.
Richard Loder, an SU alumnus and part-time professor of sociology, has been appointed director of the program for a three-year stint. Loder's appointment marks the first time a faculty member of American Indian descent is taking on a leadership role in The College of Arts and Sciences.
"Richard is a great leader," said Douglas Armstrong, a professor of anthropology in the program. "He is one of the conscientious people you can trust to do the job. He has a real hands-on knowledge about how to develop a Native American studies program."
Loder founded and chaired the Native American Studies program at the State University of New York at Oswego, where he worked at the program for about 15 years, he said.
"Having all that administrative experience, I think, will help me greatly in building a successful Native American studies program here," Loder said. "I'm very positive. I think it's going to be a tremendous program."
Sarah Moses, a junior newspaper major and contributing writer for The Daily Orange, professed her optimism at Loder's appointment. Moses, who is a member of the Onondaga Nation, said she does not believe an American Indian faculty member has to head the program, although the fact that Loder is of American Indian descent gives her more confidence in the program.
"It brings a little extra to the program because it's in his blood," Moses said. "He won't lose interest in it because it's his life."
Maureen Schwarz, a professor of anthropology, founded the Native American studies program at SU during the fall 2001 semester, said Sue Wadley, associate dean for curriculum, instruction and programs at The College of Arts and Sciences.
Schwarz recently stepped down because she decided to focus on research, Wadley said.
Loder's objectives as director of the program include developing new curricula, recruiting more American Indian students and faculty to SU and fostering stronger ties between the university and American Indian nations and communities, he said.
Richard Loder, an SU alumnus and part-time professor of sociology, has been appointed director of the program for a three-year stint. Loder's appointment marks the first time a faculty member of American Indian descent is taking on a leadership role in The College of Arts and Sciences.
"Richard is a great leader," said Douglas Armstrong, a professor of anthropology in the program. "He is one of the conscientious people you can trust to do the job. He has a real hands-on knowledge about how to develop a Native American studies program."
Loder founded and chaired the Native American Studies program at the State University of New York at Oswego, where he worked at the program for about 15 years, he said.
"Having all that administrative experience, I think, will help me greatly in building a successful Native American studies program here," Loder said. "I'm very positive. I think it's going to be a tremendous program."
Sarah Moses, a junior newspaper major and contributing writer for The Daily Orange, professed her optimism at Loder's appointment. Moses, who is a member of the Onondaga Nation, said she does not believe an American Indian faculty member has to head the program, although the fact that Loder is of American Indian descent gives her more confidence in the program.
"It brings a little extra to the program because it's in his blood," Moses said. "He won't lose interest in it because it's his life."
Maureen Schwarz, a professor of anthropology, founded the Native American studies program at SU during the fall 2001 semester, said Sue Wadley, associate dean for curriculum, instruction and programs at The College of Arts and Sciences.
Schwarz recently stepped down because she decided to focus on research, Wadley said.
Loder's objectives as director of the program include developing new curricula, recruiting more American Indian students and faculty to SU and fostering stronger ties between the university and American Indian nations and communities, he said.
