Mark Twain Museum Names New Director

Thursday, 18 June 2009 14:36

Hannibal, Mo -- The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum announces the appointment of Dr. Cindy Lovell to the position of Executive Director.  Lovell has served as the interim director since October when the position was vacated by Dr. Regina Faden.  Lovell formerly served as a board member and volunteered as the museum’s education coordinator. 

 Lovell’s background is in education, and she presently serves as an associate professor of education at Quincy University.  She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Stetson University and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.  Lovell founded the HATS (High Achieving Talented Students) Program and the Mark Twain Young Authors Workshop at Stetson University and has been collaborating with curator Henry Sweets on the museum’s teacher workshops for the last three years. 

“I am humbled and honored,” Lovell said.  “Everyone who knows me is aware of my passion for Mark Twain, and serving the museum is a true privilege.  The staff here is so dedicated and creative.  They are completely focused on the museum’s mission.  It’s exciting for me to spend time with others who love Mark Twain.” 

Sally Poole, Vice President of the Mark Twain Home Foundation Board, said, “I believe I can speak for the entire Board when I say Dr. Cindy Lovell has our solid support. The vote to offer her the position of Executive Director was unanimous. This is a very exciting time for the museum. We are growing into a world class museum, and we will do all we can to support Dr. Lovell and our fine staff in moving the museum forward.” 

Lovell credits her fourth grade teacher, Mr. Ronald Riese at Newberry Elementary in Etters, PA for her love of Twain.  “Mr. Riese read the whitewashing chapter aloud,” Lovell fondly remembers.  “After mesmerizing us with that chapter, he pointed out that there was an entire book waiting to be read.  That was it.  I’ve been a ‘Twainiac’ ever since.” 

Mark Twain has always figured prominently in Lovell’s life.  She has taught classes and given numerous presentations and workshops on Twain’s life and writings and is presently writing a two-volume encyclopedia titled All Things Twain. 

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