Than Saffel, art director and production manager, has been named interim director of the West Virginia University Press.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed is delighted to see Saffel assume the role of interim director.
“Than’s deep institutional knowledge, creativity and expertise in design and production, openness to challenges and new ways of thinking have played an essential role in the Press’s success for nearly 20 years,” Reed said. “He will serve the Press well moving forward.”
Saffel came to the Press in 2004 under then-director Patrick Conner, who revived the Press as a peer-reviewed scholarly publisher in 1999.
He is a graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and throughout his career he has worked as a designer, writer, editor, fabricator and technical lead in a wide variety of applications, including museum exhibits and digital media.
“I appreciate that Provost Reed and the WVU administration have entrusted me with stewardship of the WVU Press,” Saffel said. “We are publishing tremendous work from highly regarded and immensely talented authors. I look forward to elevating that ongoing work while bringing in new talent, new voices and creative thinking to continue our trajectory as a relevant and respected university press.”
Saffel will serve as interim director until a search for a permanent director can be conducted. He replaces Sarah Munroe, who stepped down from the interim role in September.
West Virginia University Press is the only university press, and the largest publisher of any kind, in the state of West Virginia.
To learn more about the Press, new book releases and nationally acclaimed awards and recognition, visit the WVU Press website and blog.