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New Dean of the Graduate School

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

From:   Jay Akridge
            Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity

RE:       New Dean of the Graduate School

Date:    May 22, 2018

I am pleased to inform you that Linda Mason, interim dean of the Graduate School, will be removing “interim” from her title as she has accepted our offer to become the Dean of the Graduate School, effective immediately.

As many of you know, Linda has already been at the forefront of many process improvements to support our graduate students, and her passion for creating an environment where they can thrive clearly stood out.  She has advanced new ideas within the Graduate School including the “Say it in 6” competition to recognize graduate students for their research and connection to the community, and brought to Purdue the “Three Minute Thesis”, a research communication competition, that helps graduate students hone their presentation skills.  Linda also helped to create the Graduate Parent Support Network for those graduate students who have or will be having children while students.

Linda received her Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Florida.  She went on to receive a Master of Science in entomology from Auburn University and a doctoral degree in entomology from Louisiana State University.  She joined Purdue in 1991 in the Department of Entomology and was named full professor in 2008.  Her research, teaching, and extension activities have focused on integrated pest management programs in stored products entomology, where she has gained international acclaim for innovations in alternative storage programs.

I want to thank Ragu Balakrishnan, the Michael and Katherine Birck Head and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, for chairing the search advisory committee.  The search committee was charged with finding the right person to help us define the 21stcentury Graduate School, to catalyze creative new graduate degrees and credentials, and to take our support for graduate students and faculty to new levels of excellence.  With help from the talented staff of the Graduate School – and extraordinary faculty and staff throughout the entire Purdue system – I am very confident that Linda is that leader.

Please join me in congratulating Dean Linda Mason on her new role.