Syracuse University Press becomes part of SU Libraries; Alice Pfeiffer named new director

Syracuse University Press becomes part of SU Libraries; Alice Pfeiffer named new director July 05, 2006Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

Syracuse University Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric F. Spina announced today an organizational change by which Syracuse University Press will now report to University Librarian and Dean of Libraries Suzanne Thorin.

Additionally, Alice Randel Pfeiffer has been named the new director of SU Press. Peter Webber, who has served as director since 2002, while simultaneously serving as the University’s director of auxiliary services, will now focus on his expanded responsibilities within Auxiliary Services.

The organizational change is intended to create a synergy between the two organizations, which are both charged with bringing the intellectual output of scholars into the academic community. The new relationship also enables SU Press to take advantage of the library’s infrastructure to contain costs.

“I am honored to be a part of Syracuse University Press,” says Thorin. “With an already excellent national reputation, I see the press growing even stronger over the next few years. Peter Webber’s leadership laid the groundwork that will enable us to prosper.”

Webber is credited with bringing financial stability to SU Press while maintaining a high level of scholarly publications. He created the Press Advisory Board to increase development opportunities and community involvement, and brought SU Press heightened visibility through interactions with numerous University departments and organizations. Several books published during his tenure, including the acclaimed “Encyclopedia of New York State” (2005), have won awards for academic achievement.

Pfeiffer has been with SU Press since 1987, serving as comptroller for the past 16 years and an accountant prior to that. She was a member of the team that received the SU 2004 Exemplary Achievement Award for quality or process improvement by a group or team. Pfeiffer received a master’s degree in accounting from SU’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management and a master’s degree in counseling and guidance from SU’s School of Education.

SU Press was founded in August 1943 by then-Chancellor William Pearson Tolley with the idea that such a venture should enhance the school’s academic standing. Today, with more than 1,200 titles in print, SU Press continues to fulfill Chancellor Tolley’s vision by consistently earning international critical acclaim and attracting award-winning authors of note. Each year, SU Press publishes new and groundbreaking books in specialized areas including New York state, Middle East studies, Judaica, geography, Irish studies, Native American studies, religion, and television and popular culture.