October 11, 2007
Search advisory panel named to find Purdue's next provost
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
The committee will be chaired by Margaret Rowe, a Purdue professor of English, university President France A. Córdova said Thursday (Oct. 11).
"The provost is vital to creating an environment that enhances the educational experience at Purdue, and we have selected a group for the committee that knows this university well and will work to find the right fit," Córdova said. "The committee will be looking for candidates with the administrative and academic skills to work well with the deans, faculty, chancellors, public officials and students to build on the university's reputation as a leading academic institution.
"Margaret Rowe is quite familiar with the provost's office, and her experience makes her a great choice to lead this committee."
The committee will begin the search for a replacement for Sally Mason, who became president of the University of Iowa on Aug. 1. Mason had been at Purdue seven years. Victor L. Lechtenberg, Purdue's vice provost for engagement, is serving as interim provost.
"Purdue has a reputation as a pre-eminent university for a reason," Rowe said. "It is because of our people and their never-ending desire to reach new levels. I look forward to working with the committee to find candidates who exemplify Purdue's vision and aspirations."
Rowe, who has been a faculty member in the Department of English since 1969, has served as an assistant dean and department head at Purdue. In 1996 she was named dean of the School of Liberal Arts (now the College of Liberal Arts) and then served as vice provost from 2002 to 2005. She also was previously co-director of Purdue's Discovery Learning Center.
Other committee members include:
* Maricela Alvarado, Latino Cultural Center director
* Alan Beck, Dorothy N. McAllister Professor of Animal Ecology and director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond
* George Bodner, Arthur Kelly Distinguished Professor of Chemical Education (University Senate representative)
* Howard Cohen, Purdue Calumet chancellor
* James David, director of the Office of Budget and Fiscal Planning
* Diane Denis, Duke Realty Chair in Finance and senior associate dean for faculty and research in the Krannert School of Management
* Andrew Gillespie, associate dean of international programs
* L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students
* Kamyar Haghighi, head of freshman engineering and professor of agricultural and biological engineering
* Andrew Hirsch, professor of physics
* Valentine Moghadam, professor of sociology and director of the women's studies program
* Shelley MacDermid, associate dean in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences, professor of family studies and director of the Center for Families
* Sidney Moon, associate dean of learning/engagement in the College of Education
* James Mullins, dean of Purdue Libraries
* Kinam Park, Showalter Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering and professor of pharmaceutics
* Patrice Rankine, associate professor of classics and assistant head of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
* Mary Sadowski, associate dean for undergraduate programs and learning in the College of Technology
* Timothy Sands, Basil S. Turner Professor of Materials Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the Birck Nanotechnology Center
* Pamella Shaw, assistant provost
* Mark J.T. Smith, head of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Michael J. and Katherine R. Birck Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
* James Totton, Purdue Student Government representative
* Dale Whittaker, associate dean in the College of Agriculture and director of academic programs
The committee members will advertise the position, identify a diverse pool of candidates, screen the candidates' credentials, narrow the pool to a short list and conduct interviews, and then present finalists to the president. Córdova will make the final selection after additional interviews of finalists by herself and others.
The provost is responsible for oversight of campus management in research, engagement, teaching and related academic activities in coordination with the Office of the President. The Office of the Provost oversees academic systems such as the libraries, computing center and student services (admissions, registrar, financial aid and health facilities), along with the Black Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, and the new Native American Educational and Cultural Center.
In coordination with the president, the provost also is directly involved in developing support from federal agencies, corporations and foundations and is responsible for issues of academic concern for the university's four regional campuses and Extension sites.
Writer: Jim Bush, (765) 494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: France A. Córdova, (765) 494-9708, president@purdue.edu
Margaret Rowe (765) 496-2811, mmrowe@purdue.edue
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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