D’Arms, who says he has “enjoyed almost every day in the last 10 years,” notes that “10 years is a rich sufficiency. Other things intrigue me and I will have more time to pursue them. I look forward to serving the University in a new capacity.”
In July, D’Arms was appointed to the National Council on the Humanities by President Bill Clinton. He is one of 10 scholars and civic leaders nominated to join the 26-member council.
“I will have more opportunity to think about the humanities at a general and a national level. I think there are exciting new prospects and look forward to working on the council.”
The council advises the National Endowment for the Humanities on policies, programs and procedures necessary for its operation. It also reviews applications and makes recommendations for grant awards.
D’Arms emphasizes that his departure from the two posts “is not a reflection of the current job. I have really enjoyed my work and think it [the deanship] is the best single administrative position on campus.
“The range of contacts I’ve made and the quality of our faculty and students have been inspirational. It has been a pleasure to see units that report to me get a new lease on life, particularly the U-M Press, the Michigan Journalism Fellows, the Michigan Society of Fellows and the Institute for Human Adjustment.”
D’Arms, who will retain his appointment as the Gerald F. Else Professor of Classical Studies, is widely known for his scholarly work on various aspects of Roman culture and society. His chief books are Romans on the Bay of Naples and Commerce and Social Standing in Ancient Rome. He is currently at work on a book on eating and drinking in Roman society.