¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ

Professor Patricia Nelson Limerick, a leading historian of the American West who teaches at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has been named president of the Western History Association.

Her naming as president comes after a period of change for the WHA. When Limerick attended her first WHA meeting in 1983, she was struck by the results of a new poll on the opinions of western American historians.

"They seemed a pretty demoralized group, concerned about the future of their field and convinced that respect for their work was waning," Limerick said. "The desire to restore confidence and elevate the standing of Western historians proved to be one of the strongest motives driving my writing of 'The Legacy of Conquest.' "

For a time, her landmark 1987 book seemed to produce more contention than restored confidence in the WHA: Limerick received both praise and criticism for debunking some long-held myths and for focusing attention on women, minorities and the environment.

But the era of conflict proved short-lived and Limerick's views now are widely accepted. She was named president of the 1,700-member WHA on Oct. 9 at the annual meeting in Portland, Ore.

"Professor Limerick is a strong leader on campus and one of our outstanding teachers," said Chancellor Richard L. Byyny. "Her ingenuity played a significant role in the development of the Center of the American West, a unique interdisciplinary center which has received national recognition. We are pleased to congratulate her on this appointment."

Peter Spear, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said, "We're very proud that one of our distinguished faculty has been appointed president of the Western History Association. This reflects the excellence of the history department and the humanities at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder. This appointment adds to the many honors received by Professor Limerick, who is well known for her teaching, research and outreach work in western American history."

According to Limerick, the WHA is an unusually congenial and spirited professional organization, committed from its origins to bridging the gap between academics and the public.

"I think there's a huge audience of people who want to know more about the West," Limerick said, noting that non-academics were among the founders of the 40-year-old organization. Limerick also advocates taking academic knowledge outside the walls of the university and encourages people without advanced degrees to consider joining the association.

"Attending the Western History Association conference is educational, but just as important, it's fun," she said. "This is a group that reserves two afternoons during the conference for outings and field trips."

At this month's conference, on a trip to the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, Denver-area restaurant owner Sam Arnold played the mandolin while bus-riding conferees sang along. He later led the historians in a "mountain man" toast at the annual banquet.

"I assure you that doesn't happen at any of the other professional associations," she noted.

Limerick earned her doctorate in American Studies at Yale University and taught at Harvard University before joining the ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder faculty in 1984. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students.

She is the co-chair of the Center of the American West and associate director of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ-Boulder's Minority Arts and Sciences Program. In 1995, she was named a MacArthur Fellow.

For information on joining the Western History Association, please call Limerick at (303) 492-5131 or the WHA at (505) 277-5234.