History of Directors - UF Center for Latin American Studies UF Center for Latin American Studies UF Center for Latin American Studies About Our History Governance Faculty Resources Contributing to the Center People Center-Based Faculty Affiliate Faculty MALAS Students Center Staff Visiting & Research Scholars Faculty Advisory Council History of Directors Charles Wood Thesis Award Winners Academics Why LAS? Graduate Programs Undergraduate Programs LAS Specializations LAS Courses Cross-Listing Policies Student Funding Academic & Funding Forms Study Abroad Florida-Brazil Linkage Institute (FBLI) Outreach K-16 Professional Development Teacher Resources Virtual Exchange Library Travel Grants Cultural Events Language & Careers Program Highlights Latin American and Caribbean Collection Latin American Business Environment (LABE) International Ethnography Lab Master's in Development Practice Tropical Conservation & Development News & Events Calendar of events Event support request form Annual conference Stories from the Center The Latinamericanist Sign up for our email newsletters Alumni Alumni profiles LAS Alumni Awards Alumni update form LAS Alumni Board Alumni roll call Make a donation! Make a Gift! Academic Programs Prospective Students Directory Calendar of Events Blog Welcome to UF-LAS Welcome to UF-LAS Prospective Students Current Students Alumni People History of Directors History of Directors Pages Center-Based Faculty Affiliate Faculty Center Staff MALAS Students Visiting & Research Scholars Faculty Advisory Council History of Directors Charles Wood Thesis Award Winners History of Center Directors Since our founding in 1930, the Center has been led by Directors whose service and legacies have shaped who we are. From the Institute of Inter-American Affairs to the School of Inter-American Studies to the Center of Latin American Studies, these are the Directors who have stewarded the discipline at the University of Florida: Rollin S. Atwood 1931 The Institute of Inter-American Affairs held its first annual conference. John F. Martin 1951 | T he Institute of Inter-American Affairs becomes the School of Inter-American Studies, officially offering the first MALAS degrees. A. Curtis Wilgus 1962 The SIAS was awarded Title VI funding and named a National Resource Center. It became the Center for Latin American Studies. Honorary fund: A. Curtis Wilgus Graduate Fellowship Lyle N. McAlister 1964 The first issue of The Latinamericanist was published. William E. Carter 1972 -1978 The Secretariat of the Latin American Studies Association was headquartered at the Center. Honorary fund: Wagley and Carter Endowed Fellowship Fund Ivan A. Schulman Helen I. Safa The Center's first woman Director Honorary fund: Safa Graduate Student Travel Endowment 1986 - 1996 Terry McCoy 1992 | The Bacardi Family Eminent Scholar Chair was established. Honorary fund: McCoy Travel Scholarship Fund 1996 - 2004 Charles Wood 1999 After nearly two decades of activities and program development, the Tropical Conservation and Development Program was officially established with an endowment fund. 2001 The Brazilian Music Institute was founded. 2004 - 2009 Carmen Diana Deere 2004 The Digital Library of the Caribbean was established. 2005 The Alumni Board was founded. Honorary fund: Carmen Diana Deere Director’s Fund 2009 - 2019 Philip J. Williams 2010 The Masters in Development Practice Program was established. 2011 For its 80th anniversary, the Center received its historical marker on the Plaza of the Americas. 2019 - 2025 Carlos de la Torre The Center's first director from Latin America, and the first alum to become Center Director 2021 The Kislak Family Foundation Writer/Artist in Residence was established. Apply Now Make A Gift Events University of Florida University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 UF Operator: (352) 392-3261 Resources UF Home ONE.UF Webmail MyUFL E-Learning Directory Campus Weather Campus Map Student Tours Academic Calendar Campus Events Disability Services Quick Links Apply to the Program LAS Faculty Directory Student Funding LAS Courses