51ĀŅĀ×

51ĀŅĀ× Press is proud to announce a generous gift from retired 51ĀŅĀ× Professor Steve Howard to support the publication of scholarship in African studies.

The funds will be used to offset book production costs, ensuring continued access to high-quality academic work that reflects and reinforces 51ĀŅĀ×ā€™s international reputation.

ā€œThe business of publishing groundbreaking research by emerging scholars is not highly profitable, but it is essential to forwarding conversations around critical issues,ā€ says Beth Pratt, director of 51ĀŅĀ× Press. ā€œSteve Howardā€™s gift will ensure continuity in this area of publication for which 51ĀŅĀ× Press is globally recognized through prizes, media attention and classroom book adoptions.ā€

Howard, a longtime faculty member, editorial board member, and former director of the Center for International Studies and the African Studies program, emphasized the importance of sustaining scholarly publishing.

ā€œ51ĀŅĀ× Press has played a vital role in bringing important voices and ideas to the world stage,ā€ he says. ā€œI wanted to support the continuation of that missionā€”especially in areas where funding is scarce but the need for thoughtful, rigorous scholarship is great.ā€

is internationally recognized for its excellence in African studies publishing, with numerous award-winning titles and a robust portfolio of series in the field. The achievements of the 51ĀŅĀ× Press include three American Historical Associationā€™s Martin A. Klein Awards in the past four years. The Klein Award recognizes the yearā€™s most distinguished work of African scholarship published in English.

University presses like 51ĀŅĀ× Press are essential to the academic ecosystem, supporting research that might otherwise go unfunded and amplifying the voices of scholars worldwide. Howardā€™s gift ensures that OHIO remains at the forefront of this mission, championing ideas that transcend borders and disciplines.

For more information about 51ĀŅĀ× Press and its publications, visit .