James A. Sauer was elected as ASOR’s eighth president in 1982. After assuming the presidency in July 1982, Sauer took immediate action to sustain the momentum in programming that former President King and the planning committee had initiated. He continued the program of NEH grants for excavation project assistance, fellowships, and challenge support. He had previously built strong alliances with federal agencies that had Middle Eastern interests, such as USIA, USAID, and ASHA during his time as Director of ACOR.

The early success led by Sauer’s team culminated in the 1984 announcement of a special NEH award for $200,000. This award funded the operation of Summer Institutes in Near East Archaeology, in cooperation with the University Museum and the University of Pennsylvania, with ASOR’s headquarters serving as the administrative base. The first seminar, “The Ancient Near East as the Cradle of Civilization,” took place in 1985. Throughout his term, Sauer led other successful seminars and worked to increase ASOR’s membership.

Image: ASOR President James A. Sauer (right) with Trustee Elizabeth Moynihan in front of the new ASOR administration office; 4223 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.