Alumni Profile: Brent Glass

Brent Glass, Director of National Museum of American History

Dr. Glass graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in history, got his masters at New York University and his doctorate at the University of North Carolina. It was there that he got involved in a variety of projects in “public history” that led him to his life’s work.

A highlight of his tenure at the Museum was its reopening celebration, featuring presentations by David McCullough and General Colin Powell. He has also been able to expand its warehouse capacity as well as secure important military and transportation related items.

From his days at the fraternity house, he remembered a proud moment in 1968 when the Chapter decided to invite Mal Good, a controversial radio commentator, to speak at the Chapter House on the issues of the day. He credits Pi Lambda Phi, and specifically his experience as Rex, as giving him a good, early introduction to being a leader and an able manager. This has served him well as the Museum employs over 250 people, but with security, maintenance, and gift shop people, he has approximately 500 people working within the buildings every day.

He stays in touch with some of the brothers from his undergraduate experience. He recently had lunch with a brother in Greece and when he was married not long ago, there were three brothers at the wedding.

He serves as a Trustee of Lafayette College and is very proud of his membership on the Board of the Flight 93 Memorial Advisory Commission. And Brother Glass, we are very proud of you!

For more information on Brother Glass, the National Museum of American History and/or the Flight 93 Memorial Advisory Commission, please visit:

National Museum of American History - http://americanhistory.si.edu/

NPS News Release on the Flight 93 Memorial - http://home.nps.gov/applications/release/Detail.cfm?ID=416

Flight 93 National Memorial - http://www.nps.gov/flni

Below watch Brother Glass on Comedy Central's Colbert Report