PAST DIRECTORS

Professor José Amor y Vázquez (1973-1983: Concentration Advisor and Program Director)

Professors José Amor y Vázquez (Hispanic Studies) and Dwight B. Heath (Anthropology), First Directors of the Center (1984-1989). 

Key accomplishments: Guided establishment of CLAS from its initial formation of an academic concentration to its establishment as a program and eventual center. Formed the departmental undergraduate group (DUG). Partnered with the University of Connecticut to form the Southern New England Consortium of Latin American Studies, which was recognized by the United States Department of Education with a Title VI grant. Hosted the first conference of the New England Council of Latin American Studies.

José Amor y Vázquez (left) and Dwight B. Heath (right)

Professor Thomas Skidmore, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Professor of Modern Latin American History (1989-2001).

Key accomplishments: Oversaw awarding of honorary degree to Carlos Salinas de Gortari, President of Mexico, at Brown Commencement. Hosted 28th Congress of Instituto Internacional de Literatura Iberoamericana. Launched the Comparative History and Society of the Americas workshop. Hosted the New England Council of Latin American Studies Annual Fall Meeting. Oversaw establishment of Brazil Fund, Rhodes Endowment Fund, and Citibank Mexico Fund. Convened CLAS' Tenth Anniversary Celebration. Hosted a conference on “The Discovery and Rediscovery of Brazil” in celebration of 500 years of the Portuguese presence in Brazil.

Thomas Skidmore

Professor David Lindstrom, Associate Professor of Sociology (2001-2005).

Key accomplishments: Moved office to its current location at the Rhodes Suite, Watson Institute. Established the first Brown Brazilian Film Festival. Instituted the CLAS film series. Instituted the CLAS graduate student workshop program. Secured grant from the Tinker Foundation for graduate student travel. Launched the CLAS newsletter. Organized the Mexico-US Migration and the Life Course conference. Oversaw appointment of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former president of Brazil, to a five-year term as professor-at-large. Oversaw establishment of a three year program with CitiGroup Brazil to facilitate academic and research exchanges with Brazil. Oversaw first Cogut Visiting Professorship and Dissertation Fellowship awards.

David Lindstrom