James Conlon

James Dellcort Conlon was the Director of the Visual Media Center for Art History, Archaeology, and Historic Preservation at Columbia University.12 He passed away on July 17, 2009, at the age of 37, after a brief illness.1

Born in Binghamton, NY in 1972, Conlon had a diverse educational background. He earned a BA in Classics and Religion from the University of Rochester, spent a year in Jordan as a Fulbright Fellow, and obtained an MA in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from Indiana University. He also received a postgraduate certificate in the preservation of Archaeological Sites and Historic Buildings from Columbia University.1

At Columbia, Conlon was involved in various conservation projects across the Near East and taught courses in preservation. He explored innovative ways to recover and preserve the relationship between heritage places and local communities. Conlon was also an active member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).1

Outside of his academic work, Conlon lived in Astoria, NY, where he practiced and taught Taekwondo. He co-directed Buzzer Thirty, a space for art exhibitions, literary readings, seminars, and media classes. Conlon was known for his love of family, work, the city, Near Eastern history and culture, music, basketball, and his cat, Solomon.1

James Conlon made significant contributions to the field of visual media and conservation, participating in several important projects to document major cultural heritage sites.2