What's Happening?
Chris van den Berg, a professor of classical studies at Amherst College and a 2020 Rome Prize Fellow in Ancient Studies, has been appointed the Interim Andrew W. Mellon Humanities Professor for 2026-2027. Van den Berg, who has taught at Amherst College since
2010, is also completing a six-year term as Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)/Thesaurus Linguae Latinae Advisory and Fellowship Selection Committees. His extensive academic background includes fellowships from the NEH, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), American Council of Learned Societies, Basel Fellowship in Latin Literature, and the American Academy in Rome. He has authored two books, 'The World of Tacitus' Dialogus de Oratoribus: Aesthetics and Empire in Ancient Rome' and 'The Politics and Poetics of Cicero's Brutus: The Invention of Literary History,' and is currently working on two additional book projects.
Why It's Important?
Van den Berg's appointment to a prestigious humanities professorship and his continued leadership within the National Endowment for the Humanities underscore the ongoing importance of classical studies and the humanities in contemporary academia. His work, which bridges literature, rhetoric, and material culture, contributes to a deeper understanding of ancient societies and their relevance to modern thought. His role on the NEH committees highlights the critical function of federal agencies in supporting scholarly research and fostering intellectual development across the nation. This leadership ensures that funding and recognition are directed towards projects that advance humanistic inquiry, impacting future generations of scholars and enriching public discourse on history, philosophy, and culture.
What's Next?
As Interim Andrew W. Mellon Humanities Professor, Chris van den Berg will likely continue to shape academic discourse and research within the humanities at Amherst College. His ongoing book projects, 'Critical Matter' and 'Fightin’ Words: Why We Can’t Resist Rhetoric (and Should Stop Trying),' are expected to contribute new perspectives to the fields of literary criticism and rhetoric. Upon completing his term as Chair of the NEH/Thesaurus Linguae Latinae committees, he will have concluded a significant period of service influencing national humanities funding and fellowship selections. His continued involvement in academic leadership and scholarship will further solidify the role of classical studies in broader humanistic endeavors.
Beyond the Headlines
Van den Berg's career exemplifies the enduring value of the humanities in understanding complex societal issues. His research on persuasion, cognition, and affect in modern rhetoric, alongside his classical studies, demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of humanistic inquiry. By exploring how ancient authors used their material environment to convey meaning and how rhetoric functions in contemporary society, he bridges historical and modern contexts. His work, particularly 'Fightin’ Words,' suggests a deeper engagement with the civic value of rhetoric and persuasion, which is particularly relevant in today's polarized public discourse. This highlights how the humanities provide essential tools for critical thinking and understanding human communication and conflict across different eras.
