26 | FEBRUARY 20 • 2020 

SEEKING ANSWERS
Soon after University Press authors and oth-
ers were notified of the dismissals, 60 indi-
viduals, including former University Press 
Executive Director Jane Ferreyra, wrote a 
letter of protest to Wilson, demanding the 
dismissals be reversed. 
“We are writing to express our shock and 
anger at what is tantamount to the destruc-
tion of this venerable institution,” the letter 
states. “In a series of moves that has left 
both published and prospective authors in 
the dark about the fate of their books, and 
has undermined the viability of the press, 
the new administration has, without notice, 
discharged the press leadership without 
cause.”
Some members of the Press Editorial 
Board, a group of appointed faculty mem-
bers providing editorial direction, also 
expressed their concerns to Wilson. 
Elaine Driker of Detroit chairs the Board 
of Visitors of the University 
Press, who were notified of the 
dismissals on the day they were 
carried out. This 19-mem-
ber board has no operational 
responsibility, but instead helps 
with advocacy and fundraising. 
Driker said many board members con-
tacted her immediately with questions and 
concerns. A special meeting of the Board 
of Visitors was held by phone on Feb. 9. 
Sixteen members participated, showing 

“real allegiance to the press. They want to 
right the ship and expressed their concerns,” 
Driker said. 
The university’
s responses satisfied a 
majority of those present on the call. Driker 
said she and the board “were assured and 
reassured that the future of the Press is 
secure, including the Judaica and other 
series.”
After the announcement of the shift in 
organizational reporting to Wilson, Driker 
said she was “fully supportive” and that it 
“bodes well for the future of the Press.”

JEWISH CONNECTIONS
The late Leonard N. Simons, a Jewish busi-
nessman and philanthropist, began helping 
the University Press raise funds during 
the 1950s. He tapped many friends with-
in the Jewish community to support the 
Press overall, particularly the publication 
of Jewish subjects. The University Press 
Building was renamed for Simons in 1994. 
According to Simons’
 daughter, Mary Lou 
Zieve of Bloomfield Hills, he was an avid 
book lover who donated a major book col-
lection to the university. 
Zieve later chaired the first advisory 
group for the University Press, at the request 
of former University President David 
Adamany. She is a member emerita of the 
Board of Visitors of University Press.
“I’
m not worried about the Press,” Zieve 
said. “It will go on.” 

Jews in the D

We have no 
intention of 
dismantling or 
discontinuing the 
work of the WSU 
Press ... We hope 
to position and 
strengthen the WSU 
Press for the future.”

— M. ROY WILSON, 
WSU PRESIDENT

Elaine Driker 

COURTESY ELAINE DRIKER

WSU PRESS

continued from page 24

