Machen appoints curator and archivist as official UF historian

April 11, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida archivist Carl Van Ness has been named the university’s official historian, UF President Bernie Machen announced today. Van Ness succeeds Samuel Proctor, who was the first person named to the position when it was created in the 1950s and held it until he died in 2005.

Van Ness is the curator of archives and manuscripts in the department of special studies and area studies collections in the George A. Smathers Libraries. He was appointed university archivist in 1996 and has been on the faculty since 1986. He is a recognized authority on UF’s early history and has written many articles on student life.

He worked closely with Proctor on a number of projects, including the university’s 150th anniversary and the historical markers that are placed outside many of the older buildings.

“I’m aware of the responsibility of being the UF historian,” Van Ness said. “I take history seriously. History should be accurate, but it can also be fun. I always try to tell history in ways that entertain as well as educate.”

UF’s history includes many entertaining stories, and there are people who are interested in reading them, including countless alumni, Van Ness said. He co-authored the book, “Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future,” a comprehensive description of UF’s history from 1853 to 2003. He was an active member of the university’s 150th anniversary committee and now leads the history advisory council.

“Carl Van Ness brings to this role a long history of UF involvement and expertise,” Provost Janie Fouke stated in a letter. “He has been a strong advocate of promoting and sharing the university’s history and traditions with students, alumni and campus communicators during his tenure at the UF libraries. In his current position he has strong contacts and an expert reputation among peers around the state. His supporters, of which there are many, agree that he approaches all his projects and responsibilities with professionalism and enthusiasm.”