Interim Dean of Purdue's Graduate School

To:       Executive Vice Presidents, Chancellors, Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors and Heads of Schools, Divisions, Departments and Office

From:   Deba Dutta, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity

Date:   May 17, 2017

I am pleased to announce that Linda Mason has agreed to become interim dean of Purdue’s Graduate School effective August 1, 2017.  Linda is currently associate dean of the Graduate School and has been a professor of entomology at Purdue since 1991.

The dean of the Purdue Graduate School oversees graduate education that includes more than 80 programs at the West Lafayette campus and nearly 30 programs at regional campuses across the State of Indiana.  Close to 10,000 graduate students were enrolled at the West Lafayette campus during 2016-17.

Linda has established an internationally recognized pest management program in stored products entomology and has been a consultant for many of the largest food producers and retailers worldwide.  Linda joined the Graduate School as associate dean focusing on the Responsible Conduct of Research program, fellowships, and professional development of graduate and postdoctoral students.  She has been actively involved in the ADVANCE-Purdue initiative and diversity training workshops, and is a former chair of the University Senate.  She also brought the popular and challenging Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition to Purdue. Linda’s experience in the Graduate School and her deep knowledge of Purdue will serve her well in her new role as interim dean.

Linda replaces Mark J. T. Smith, who is moving to the University of Texas at Austin to take on the position of dean of the Graduate School and senior vice provost for academic affairs beginning August 1, 2017.  During his tenure as dean of Purdue’s Graduate School, Mark introduced new professional master’s and interdisciplinary programs, award-winning peer mentoring programs, and a new scholarship program for graduate students with financial need.  His active commitment to enhancing diversity on our campus is unmatched and I appreciate both his professional and personal involvement.

Please join me in congratulating Linda on her new role as interim dean of the Graduate School and in wishing Mark great success in his new role at UT Austin.