January 25, 2008

Search committee named to find candidates for next PMO director

Jay S. Gephart, director of Purdue bands, is chairing the committee.

The committee will search for a successor to Brian Breed, who retired from Purdue effective Dec. 31. Gerritt VanderMeer, a professional entertainer and a 1996 alumnus of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, is currently serving as the interim assistant director of Purdue Musical Organizations and interim director of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club.

"For the past 75 years, members of Purdue Musical Organizations have served as wonderful ambassadors for the university," said Thomas B. Robinson, vice president for student services. "It's important that the new director is dedicated to carrying PMO's traditions forward and to serving as a role model to the students who entertain audiences at hundreds of performances each year.

"We hope to attract a number of high-quality applicants for this position. I hope that students, staff, alumni and friends participate in the on-campus interview process and provide feedback to the committee so we are able to hire someone that will serve as a valuable asset to PMO and Purdue as a whole."

Committee members are:

* Nick Clinkenbeard, a senior in the College of Engineering from Vincennes, Ind., who is manager of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He is serving as one of the committee's student representatives.

* Monica Ruberg, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts from Indianapolis, who is manager of the Purduettes. She is serving as a student representative.

* Jay Bailey, assistant director of Purdue Musical Organizations and assistant director of Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He is serving as the Purdue Musical Organizations staff representative.

* Paul Ziemer, professor emeritus of health sciences and an adviser and mentor for the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, who is serving as the faculty representative.

* Swen M. Ervin, assistant director of admissions, who is a former member of PMO Express and a 2002 graduate. He is serving as a PMO alumni representative.

* Kevin Sprecher, a member of the PMO advisory board and former member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He is a 1992 graduate and is serving as an alumni representative.

* Marcy Ziek, a member of the PMO advisory board and former member of the Choral Club. She is a 1977 graduate and is serving as a PMO alumni representative.

* Robert L. Griffiths, a former member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and 1961 Purdue graduate, who is serving as a community representative.

* Sandy Monroe, assistant vice president for student services and a Purduette mentor. She is serving as a representative from the Office of the Vice President for Student Services.

In the coming weeks, Gephart will meet with committee members to begin the nationwide search for the new director. He said that once finalists have been chosen, they will be brought to campus for interviews.

Early in the search process, a public forum will take place that will allow alumni and the community to offer feedback to the committee, Gephart said. Students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends also can contact Gephart with input at jsgephart@purdue.edu.

Approximately 200 students participate in Purdue Musical Organizations ensembles each year. The student groups, which include the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, the Purduettes, the Purdue Bells, Heart & Soul and the All Campus & Community Chorale, present more than 200 performances around the world.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources:   Thomas B. Robinson, (765) 494-5776, trobinson@purdue.edu

Jay S. Gephart, (765) 494-0770, jsgephart@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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