Columbus State University has appointed Dr. Jonathan Kline as the new Alan F. Rothschild Distinguished Chair of its Department of Art. A distinguished scholar, educator and administrator, Kline brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, art history and museum work to his new role.

An internationally recognized scholar specializing in Italian Renaissance art history, Kline’s research has been published in leading academic volumes—including works on Michelangelo, Botticelli and Renaissance visual typology. His 2021 chapter in “Space, Image, and Reform in Early Modern Art” explores philosophical imagery in Raphael’s “Disputa,” and his numerous publications reflect a deep engagement with Christian and classical symbolism in early modern art.

“Dr. Kline brings a wealth of scholarly knowledge in the arts and administrative experience in higher education to his new role at Columbus State University,” said Dr. Wanda Ebright, dean of the College of the Arts. “His extraordinary academic background, extensive leadership experience and impactful scholarship make him an ideal choice to nurture our students’ creative talents and the department’s many collaborative partnerships.”

Kline most recently served as an associate professor of art history at Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania, where he also served as dean of academics and chief academic officer. From 2018 to 2021, he chaired the college’s Arts Department, helping expand curricular offerings and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Prior to Bryn Athyn, Kline spent a decade at Temple University as assistant professor of instruction in art history and earlier held teaching positions at the University of Hartford and Franklin & Marshall College.

Kline holds a Ph.D. in art history from Temple University, where he previously completed his undergraduate studies, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in art history and a minor in English. He also holds a master’s in art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He officially begins his duties on July 1.