Paul Kelton

A Kansas University associate professor of history and self-described “champion of the humanities” will be the university’s next associate dean for humanities.

Paul Kelton, also the current chairman of Germanic languages and literature at KU, will begin his new appointment July 1, KU announced Wednesday.

Kelton said he was proud to lead an “excellent” team of professors and emphasized the importance of the humanities, particularly in encouraging critical thinking and inspiring action on problems faced by human beings across time and space.

“Humanities are absolutely vital to schools, universities and public life,” Kelton said. “We need humanities for a healthy, just and sustainable global community.”

KU described Kelton’s position as a key administrative role in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He will supervise 14 departments and programs, as well as the newly created School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Kelton came to KU in 2001 and has worked in various posts, including chairman of the department of history from 2008 to 2013, one of the largest departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in terms of faculty and student enrollment. There, according to KU, his contributions included a successful effort to increase fundraising revenues, a continuing education program for Olathe Public Schools’ history teachers and the annual Pivotal Events in History public lecture series.

“Paul Kelton is an enthusiastic advocate for the humanities who also excels at creating solutions,” Danny Anderson, liberal arts dean, said in a news release. “As our departments seek out new ways to enhance their programming and enrollments, Paul’s guidance and experience will be of tremendous value.”

Kelton holds doctoral and master’s degrees in history from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tulsa. His research specialty is American Indians.

Kelton will succeed Ann Schofield, who has served as acting associate dean for the humanities since 2012.