Brady named dean of Schreyer Honors College Friday, July 14, 2006

Philadelphia, Pa. -- Christian M.M. Brady, director of Tulane University's Honors Program and associate professor of classical studies and Jewish studies, has been named dean of Penn State's Schreyer Honors College. Brady has directed Tulane's Honors Program since 2004 and previously was its associate director as well as director of the university's Jewish studies program.

His appointment was approved by the University's Board of Trustees today (July 14) at its regular meeting in Philadelphia.

"Christian Brady brings a unique blend of dynamic teaching, focused academic research and broad administrative leadership experience," said Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Rodney Erickson. "We are pleased to welcome his perspective to the future direction of honors education at Penn State."

Brady holds two advanced degrees from the University of Oxford, a graduate diploma in Jewish studies and a doctorate in Oriental studies with a concentration in ancient Hebrew and Jewish literature, the former obtained simultaneously while completing a master's degree in biblical and theological studies from Wheaton College. His baccalaureate degree, in Near Eastern studies and history, is from Cornell University.

"It is a great honor to be selected as dean of the Schreyer Honors College, and I look forward to building upon the excellence already so well established," said Brady. "An honors program is predicated upon the belief that honors ought to be placed upon those who excel in academic endeavors. But what is good and honorable is not just the acquisition of knowledge; indeed, special knowledge is not needed at all, other than knowing what is right and having the strength and courage to do it. 'Knowing what is right' is the tough part, and it is my hope to continue the tradition of helping Schreyer Honors College scholars find individualized answers to this question."

Brady is working on a book titled "Election and Free Will in the Dead Sea Scrolls." He has participated in several additional academic and administrative capacities at Tulane, including current service as leader of a first-year student program on world cultures and religion, chapter advisor of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and as a member the advisory committees for the religious studies program, the literature program and the University College e-Learning Committee. Previously he helped develop the Tulane Interdisciplinary Experience Program and sat on the Liberal Arts and Sciences dean's executive committee.

He succeeds Cheryl Achterberg, who was named founding dean of Iowa State University's College of Human Sciences, and Clay Calvert, who was appointed interim dean following Achterberg's departure. Brady will assume his new role at Penn State on Aug. 1.