Our Committees
The Melville Society’s institutional structure is made up of an Executive Committee that manages the Society as well as several standing committees that organize Society activities, grants, and prizes.
Committee History
President (elected, one-year term, serves on Executive Committee)John Wenke, 2023
Rodrigo Lazo, 2022
Tim Marr, 2021
Samuel Otter, 2020
Branka Arsić, 2019
Giorgio Mariani, 2018
Arimichi Makino, 2017
John Bryant, 2016
Hester Blum, 2015
Geoffrey Sanborn, 2014
Steven Olsen-Smith, 2013
Dennis Berthold, 2012
Wyn Kelley, 2011
T. Walter Herbert, 2010
Robert Milder, 2009
Carolyn Karcher, 2008
Andrew Delbanco, 2007
Gail Coffler, 2006
Edgar Dryden, 2005
Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, 2004
Christopher Sten, 2003
Robert K. Wallace, 2002
Douglas Robillard, 2001
Thomas Farel Heffernan, 2000
Harrison Hayford, 1999
Sanford E. Marovitz, 1998
Elizabeth Schultz, 1997
Lea Bertani Vozar Newman, 1996
Stanton Garner, 1995
Marvin Fisher, 1994
H. Bruce Franklin, 1993
Harrison Hayford, 1992
Hershel Parker, 1991
Donald Yannella, 1990
Walter Bezanson, 1989
Joyce Sparer Adler, 1988
Jay Leyda, 1987
William B. Dillingham, 1986
John Seelye, 1985
Milton R. Stern, 1984
Warner Berthoff, 1983
G. Thomas Tanselle, 1982
Edward Rosenberry, 1981
Henry A. Murray, 1980
Walter D. Kring, 1979
Robert G. Newman, 1978
Lewis Mumford, 1977
Jay Leyda, 1976
Hennig Cohen, 1975
Robert Penn Warren, 1974
[none], 1973
Nathalia Wright, 1972
Leon Howard, 1971
Harrison Hayford, 1970
Howard P. Vincent, 1969
[no record], 1968
Walter Bezanson, 1967
Henry A. Murray, 1966
Merlin Bowen, 1965
Merlin Bowen (in absentia), 1964
William B. Stein, 1963
Merrill Davis (deceased), 1962
Richard H. Fogle (served 2 years), 1961
Tyrus Hillway, 1960
Lawrence Barrett, 1959
Wilson L. Heflin, 1958
Howard C. Horsford, 1957
Nathalia Wright, 1956
Harrison Hayford, 1955
Walter Bezanson, 1954
Merton M. Sealts, Jr., 1953
Willard Thorp, 1952
Howard P. Vincent, 1951
Elizabeth Foster, 1950
F. Barron Freeman, 1949
William Braswell, 1948
Luther S. Mansfield, 1947
Charles R. Anderson, 1946
Secretary (elected, three-year term, serves as Chair of the Executive Committee)Dawn Coleman, 2023-present
Matthew Rebhorn, 2020-2022
Colin Dewey, 2017-2019
Tony McGowan, 2014-2016
Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, 2007-2013
Jill Barnum, 2003-2006
Christopher Sten, 1997-2002
Sanford E. Marovitz, 1994-1996
Stanton Garner, 1990-1993
Donald Yannella, (secretary-treasurer), 1975-1989
Donald Yannella (acting secretary-treasurer for Hennig Cohen), 1973-1974
Hennig Cohen (secretary-treasurer), 1969-1972
Howard P. Vincent (secretary-treasurer), 1964-1968
Richard Stavig (secretary-treasurer), 1960-1963
Tyrus Hillway (acting secretary-treasurer for Howard Horsford), 1958-1959
Tyrus Hillway (secretary-treasurer), 1946-1957
Tyrus Hillway (founding secretary-treasurer), 1945
Associate Secretary for Programs and Conferences (elected, three-year term, serves on Executive Committee)Meredith Farmer, 2017-present
Colin Dewey, 2014-2016
Joseph Fruscione, 2009-2013
Treasurer (elected, three-year term, serves on Executive Committee)Steven Olsen-Smith, 2023-present
Zach Hutchins, 2020-2022
Steven Olsen-Smith, 2014-2019
Tony McGowan, 2009-2013
John Matteson, 2006-2008
Dennis Berthold (acting treasurer), 2004-2005
Bryan Short, 2002-2003
Dennis Berthold, 1995-2001
John Wenke, 1990-1994
Editor (elected, three-year term, serves on Executive Committee)Brian Yothers, 2020-present
Samuel Otter, 2014-2019
John Bryant, 1990-2013
Donald Yannella, 1976-1989
Hennig Cohen, 1969-1975
Associate Editor (appointed by Editor)Jennifer Greiman, 2020-present
Brian Yothers, 2014-2019
Samuel Otter, 2010-2013
Wyn Kelley, 2000-2010 (also served as Assistant Editor 1996-2000)
Book Review Editor (appointed by Editor)Paul Hurh, 2021-present
Dawn Coleman, 2014-2020
Extracts Editor (appointed by Editor)Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, 2014-present
Historian (elected, three-year term, serves on Executive Committee; discontinued in 2008)Christopher Sten, 2003-2007
Douglas Robillard, 2002
Frederick J. Kennedy, 1996-2001
Ruth T. Degenhardt, 1990-1995
Richard Colles Johnson, 1975-1989
Henry Wasser, 1970-1974
Director of Development (elected, three-year term, serves on Executive Committee; discontinued in 2014)John Matteson, 2012-2013
Dennis Berthold, 2005-2011
Melville Society Cultural Project Representative (elected, two-year term, serves on Executive Committee)Robert K. Wallace, 2023-present
Chris Sten and Robert K. Wallace (shared position), 2008-2022
Communications Committee Chair (APPOINTED BY SECRETARY, three-year term, may repeat)Carie Schneider, 2020-present
Zach Hutchins, 2017-2020
MLA Panel Chair(s) (elected, one-year term; beginning in 2011, MLA moved from late December to early January)Ralph Savarese / Timothy Sweet, 2024
Carrie Tirado Bramen / Jennifer Greiman, 2023
Paul Downes / Mary Grace Albanese, 2022
John Levi Barnard / Jordan Alexander Stein, 2021
Michael Jonik / Michael D. Snediker, 2020
K.L. Evans / Rodrigo Lazo, 2019
Munia Bhaumik, 2018
Branka Arsic / Christopher Freeburg, 2017
Colin Dewey / Eliza Richards with Emily Dickenson International Society, 2016
Hsuan Hsu / Coleman Hutchison, 2015
Timothy Marr, 2014
Hester Blum, 2013
Milette Shamir, 2012
Jeff Dailey / Joseph Fruscione, 2011
Ivy Wilson, 2010
Peter Norberg, 2009
Chris Castiglia, 2008
Charlene Avallone, 2007
M. Thomas Inge, 2006
Geoffrey D. Sanborn, 2005
Susan Garbarini Fanning, 2004
Robert Levine, 2003
Linda Costanzo Cahir, 2002
Timothy Marr, 2001
John Wenke, 2000
Laurie Robertson-Lorant, 1999
Stanton Garner, 1998
Robert Martin, 1997
Gail Coffler, 1996
Susan Weiner, 1995
Wyn Kelley, 1994
Robert K. Wallace, 1993
Robert DeMott, 1992
Milton R. Stern, 1991
Gail Coffler, 1990
Carolyn Karcher, 1989
James Duban, 1988
Dennis Berthold, 1987
Chris Sten, 1986 (Thomas F. Heffernan also chaired a conference on Nantucket in 1986)
Joyce Sparer Adler, 1985
Bainard Cowan, 1984
Thomas F. Heffernan, 1983
Robert Milder, 1982
Bette Weidman, 1981
Watson G. Branch, 1980
Hershel Parker, 1979
H. Bruce Franklin, 1978
Curtis Dahl, 1977
Deborah C. Andrews, 1976
Johannes Bergmann, 1975
Sanford Marovitz, 1974
Donald Yannella, 1973
Donald Yannella, 1972
Hershel Parker, 1971
Frederic Tuten, 1970
John Seelye, 1969
ALA Panel Chair(s) (Elected, one-year term)Jennifer Baker / Damien Schlarb, 2023
Adam Fales / Justine Murison, 2022
Brian Yothers / Leonora Warren, 2021
Tom Nurmi, 2020 (cancelled because of COVID-19)
Wyn Kelley / Nathan Wolff, 2019
Wendy Anne Lee / James Noel, 2018
David Greven / Hoang Gia Phan, 2017
Paul Hurh / Dominic Mastroianni, 2016
Elizabeth Duquette / Andrew Kopec, 2015
Anne Baker, 2014
Matthew Giordano, 2014
Zach Hutchins, 2013
Cody Marrs, 2013
Ralph Savarese, 2012
Christopher Phillips, 2011
Brian Yothers, 2010
Maurice Lee, 2009
Steven Olsen-Smith, 2008
Elizabeth Renker, 2007
Faith Barrett, 2006
Carol Colatrella, 2005
Jonathan A. Cook, 2004
Rachela Permenter, 2003
Juana Djalal, 2002
Robert Milder, 2001
Samuel Otter, 2000
Edgar Dryden, 1999
Sterling Stuckey, 1998
Sally Hoople, 1997
John Samson, 1996
David Leverenz, 1995
Sheila Post-Lauria, 1994
Kathleen E. Kier & Larry J. Reynolds, 1993
Charlene Avallone & Richard Kopley, 1992
Mary K. Bercaw, 1991
Sanford E. Marovitz (appointed), 1990
C19 Program ChairJennifer Greiman, 2013
Murray Endowment Committee Chair (elected, three-year term)Samuel Otter, 2023
Jordan Stein, 2020-2022
Dennis Berthold, 2019-2021
Tony McGowan, 2018-2020
Wyn Kelley, 2017-2019
Dennis Berthold, 2016-2018
Carolyn Karcher, 2015-2017
Robert D. Madison, 2014-2016
Brian Yothers, 2012-2013
James Duban, 2010-[2015]
Sandy Marovitz, 2009-2011
Hank Galmish, 2008-[2014?]
[information missing], 2007
Marty Bickman, 2006-2008
Helen Trimpi, 2005-2007
Watson Branch, 2004-2006
Sanford E. Marovitz, 2003-2005
Lea Bertani Vozar Newman, 2002-2004
Sally Hoople, 2001-2003
Linda Costanzo Cahir, 2000-2002
Martin Torodash, 1999-2001
Stanton Garner, 1997-1999
Donald Yannella, 1996-1998
Lucy Freibert, 1995-1997, 1998
Curtis Dahl, 1994-1996
Sanford E. Marovitz, 1993-1995
Donald Yannella, 1992-1994
G. Thomas Tanselle, 1991-1993
Harold B. Lehrman, 1990-1992
Thomas Norton, 1990-1991
Walter Bezanson, 1990
[information missing 1988-1989]
Robert G. Newman, 1987
Robert G. Newman (chair), William B. Dillingham, Sally Hoople, Merton M. Sealts, Jr., Thomas Norton, 1986 (initial committee)
Nominating Committee CHAIR (appointed by outgoing President, three-year term)Kit Ohge, 2022-2023
James Noel, 2019-2021
Michael Jonik, 2018-2020
Ivy Wilson, 2017-2019
Lenora Warren, 2016-2018
Maurice Lee, 2015-2017
Lenora Warren, 2015-2017
Jennifer Greiman, 2014-2016
Elizabeth Renker, 2013-2015
Dawn Coleman, 2012-2014
Bryan Sinche, 2011-2013
Colin Dewey, 2010-2012
Elizabeth Duquette, 2009-2011
Steven Olsen-Smith, 2008-2010
Wendy Stallard Flory, 2007-2009
Samuel Otter, 2006-2008
Henry Hughes, 2005-2007
Rachela Parmenter, 2004-2006
Dennis Berthold, 2003-2005
Timothy Marr, 2002-2004
Kathleen E. Kier, 2001-2004
Gail Coffler, 2000-2002
Wyn Kelley, 1999-2001
Lynn Horth, 1998-2000
Carolyn Karcher, 1997-1999
Haskell Springer, 1996-1998
John Wenke, 1995-1997
Laurie Robertson-Lorant, 1994-1996
Edward Grejda, 1993-1994 (resigned for overseas commitment)
Joyce Kennedy, 1992-1995 (served twice as chair)
Dennis Berthold, 1991-1993
Sally Hoople, 1990-1992
Susan Beegel Tiffney, 1990-1991
M. Thomas Inge, 1990
[information missing 1987-1989]
Mary K. Bercaw, 1986 [plus two others]
[information missing 1984-1985]
Robert Milder (chair), Warwick Wadlington, Bette Weidman, 1983
Sally Hoople (chair), John Bryant, Douglas Robillard, 1982
Tom Quirk (chair), Richard Brodhead, Carolyn Karcher, 1981
Stanton Garner (chair), Kathleen Kier, Charles Neumier, 1980
Brian Higgins (chair), James Barbour, Sue Lonoff, 1979
[information missing 1978]
Sanford Marovitz (chair), Alan Hayman, Sally Hoople, 1977
Nathalia Wright (chair), Edwin Gittleman, Samuel Middlebrook, 1976
Wilson Helfin (chair), Marjorie Dew, Edward Stone, 1975
Heyward Ehrlich, 1974
Cohen Prize Committee (appointed by Secretary, three-year term)2023: Justine Murison, Elizabeth Duquette, and Jordan Stein
2022: Amy Parsons, Justine Murison, and Elizabeth Duquette
2021: Matthew Knip, Amy Parsons, and Justine Murison
2020: Paul Hurh, Matthew Knip, and Amy Parsons
2019: Hsuan Hsu, Paul Hurh, and Matthew Knip
2018: Jeannine DeLombard, Hsuan Hsu, and Paul Hurh
2017: Dominic Mastroianni, [Jeannine DeLombard, and Hsuan Hsu]
2016: Dominic Mastroianni and Jeannine DeLombard
2015: Cody Marrs and Dominic Mastroianni
2014: Peter Norberg, Cody Marrs, and Dominic Mastroianni
2013: Hester Blum, Peter Norberg, Cody Marrs
2012: Chris Sten, Hester Blum, Peter Norberg
2011: Chris Sten, Hester Blum, Peter Norberg
2010: Geoff Sanborn, Jeff Clymer, and Chris Sten
2009: Geoff Sanborn, Jeff Clymer, Dennis Berthold
2008: Ralph Savarese, Robin Grey, Geoff Sanborn
2007: John Samson, Ralph Savarese (only two served in 2007)
2006: Maurice Lee, John Samson, Ralph Savarese
2005: Maurice Lee, Charlene Avallone, John Samson
2004: Maurice Lee, Charlene Avallone