News Release — October 5, 2011

Dr. David Coleman appointed director

SAN MARCOS, TX — The Wittliff Collections at the Alkek Library, Texas State University-San Marcos, are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. David Coleman as director. Dr. Coleman joins Texas State from the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as the chief curator for photography. He earned his doctorate in Art History from UT-Austin in 2005 and has worked at the Ransom Center since 1996. “The addition of David Coleman to our staff promises to move the Wittliff forward as we build upon the Collections’ success to date and further its vision for the future,” said Joan Heath, Associate Vice President for Texas State’s University Library.

Coleman grew up in Dallas and attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in Art History, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He earned his master of arts in Art History from Hunter College, City University of New York. In New York he worked at the Pierpont Morgan Library and Museum. In 1996 he joined the staff of the Ransom Center as a research associate, and he was quickly promoted to Curator of Photography and Department Head.

During his tenure at the Ransom Center, Coleman supervised the photography department while developing major exhibitions from the collections, including Discovering the Language of Photography: The Gernsheim Collection; Dress Up: Portrait and Performance in Victorian Photography; Ansel Adams: A Legacy; The Battle for the Eastern Front: Photographs from the William Broyles, Jr. Collection; Place: Photographs of Environment and Community; and Henry Peach Robinson: Victorian Photographer. He was responsible for collection development, programming, and collection management, and he served as the series editor for the Ransom Center’s photography book series with the University of Texas Press. He organized and participated in public and academic programs, including the “Focus on Photography” public program series, symposia, and academic conferences.

“It’s an honor to become the new director of the Wittliff Collections,” said Coleman. ”I have long admired many things about the Wittliff, from its clearly defined mission, its outstanding collections, its beautiful public spaces, and its dedicated staff. There is a tremendous spirit that emanates from the Wittliff, and I look forward to nurturing that spirit while leading the organization through its continuing evolution.”

Of the appointment, founding donor Bill Wittliff said, “David has that wonderful combination of experience and passion that so nicely dovetails with the Collections’ commitment to preserve and celebrate our region’s literary and photographic heritage—that, and he is one terrifically nice guy to boot, one we’re all delighted to welcome into the Collections’ ever-growing family of kindred spirits.”

Coleman replaces former director Connie Todd, who retired in January 2010. Wittliff Collections staffer Steve Davis, who served as interim director during the candidate search, will now resume his role as a full-time curator. “I’m grateful to our terrific staff for continuing to work so well together as a team during the interim period,” said Davis. “We’re all looking forward to welcoming David aboard and joining him as we continue our efforts to help the Wittliff become the premier archive of the Southwest.”