Sheldon interim director will be Hoffmann

Outgoing dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Richard Hoffmann, will take over this fall as interim director of Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln administration announced today.

Hoffmann will begin transitioning to interim director in August, as director Jan Driesbach gets closer to her last day, Sept. 20. Driesbach announced her resignation March 29 after six and a half years as Sheldon director.

As dean of Arts and Sciences since 2001, Hoffmann led the university's largest college. He announced his decision last September to step down from dean to a faculty position in biological sciences. On May 22 the university announced the selection of University of Iowa's David Manderscheid as Hoffmann's replacement.

"We're sending in a seasoned and distinguished educator with a long-running history of excellence in administration," said Herb Howe, associate to UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. Howe said Sheldon arts programming will continue as scheduled. A search for a permanent director will commence immediately.

"We are glad to have dean Hoffmann's commitment to leading the Sheldon as we search for a new director. His management skills will serve the gallery and the university extremely well. Timing-wise, these schedules fell together nicely to create good transitions for everyone involved."

The Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden houses both the Nebraska Art Association collection founded in 1888, and the University of Nebraska collection, initiated in 1929. Together they comprise more than 12,000 works of art in all media. This comprehensive collection of American art includes prominent holdings of 19th-century landscape and still life, American Impressionism, early Modernism, geometric abstraction, Abstract Expressionism, pop, minimalism and contemporary art.

CONTACT: Herb Howe, associate to the chancellor, (402) 472-2116