Purdue News
Purdue News
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March 9, 2001 Purdue names alumna Sally Frost Mason as provostWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Sally K. Frost Mason, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas, will return to her alma mater, Purdue University, as its next provost, effective July 1.
"As the university's senior academic officer, the provost is critical to the aspirations of the university and this administration," said Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. "The members of our national search committee were charged with identifying a distinguished scholar with proven administrative ability and the commitment to help lead this land-grant university to the next level of excellence. They certainly have succeeded, and I congratulate them. "Sally Frost Mason was our overwhelming first choice among a group of truly outstanding candidates for this critical position. She will provide tremendous leadership for the learning, discovery and engagement enterprises that are at the heart of our academic mission." Frost Mason, whose appointment is subject to the approval of the Purdue Board of Trustees, will succeed Robert L. Ringel, who has served as executive vice president for academic affairs since 1991. Ringel will return to full-time faculty status in the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences. "It is a great privilege for me to return to Purdue," Frost Mason said. "I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students of one of the world's great universities, and I am extremely excited about the new vision President Jischke has articulated." As provost, Frost Mason will be responsible for the development of all aspects of teaching and related academic activities, including student recruitment and retention; recruitment and development of faculty; and curriculum. Her office will oversee academic support systems such as the libraries, computing center, student services (admissions, registrar, financial aid, health facilities) and a large number of research facilities and institutes. Frost Mason will be directly involved in attracting funding to Purdue from various federal agencies, corporations and foundations and is responsible for issues of academic concern for the university's four regional campuses and extension sites. A professor of molecular biosciences, Frost Mason earned her doctorate in cellular, molecular and developmental biology from the University of Arizona in 1978; a master's degree in developmental biology from Purdue in 1974; and a bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Kentucky in 1972. She also worked for two years at Indiana University as a postdoctoral research associate. She joined the Kansas faculty in 1980 and served as the acting chairperson in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology from 1986 to 1989. Frost Mason became associate dean in the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1990. In 1995, she became dean of the college. Frost Mason has earned numerous awards for her teaching and academic advising. Her teaching interests include developmental biology, embryology, cell biology and general biology for majors and non-majors. She is a native of New York City. Richard F. Borch, Lilly distinguished professor, chaired a search committee composed of faculty, staff and students. Applicants and nominees from across the country, as well as from within Purdue, were considered. Jischke worked with the committee to narrow the list and then invited four finalists to visit campus. The finalists took part in an open forum for faculty, staff, students and the public. Frost Mason visited Purdue on Feb. 7-8. Sources: Sally K. Frost Mason (785) 864-3661 Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708 Other sources: Richard Borch, (765) 494-1403 Writer: Grant Flora, (765) 494-2096 gflora@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web site:
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