The hunt for Dean Melvyn Leffler's successor at the helm of the College took a step forward Thursday with University Provost Peter Low's announcement of a 14-member search committee.
Gene D. Block, vice president for Research and Public Service, will head the committee, which includes University faculty, alumni and two students.
Low charged the committee to actively seek candidates "who will provide inspirational leadership for the core teaching and scholarly functions of the College and Graduate School."
Leffler plans to leave his post in August to accept a visiting professorship in American History at Oxford University. He has been dean of the College since 1997.
University President John T. Casteen III said the new dean of the University's largest school will focus on "improving programs that have been historically weak but now face very bright prospects," and augmenting services provided directly to students by the College.
Other concerns include the inadequacy of base funding for faculty salaries and other academic program costs, faculty engagement with undergraduate students and the condition of the curriculum.
The College also is stepping up private development efforts in response to funding cutbacks from the state. A $250 million endowment exclusively for the College is slated for completion in 2005. "The target will probably get larger," Casteen said.
"The dean must be a persuasive advocate for the College and University in dealings with the alumni and friends on whose financial support the future depends," Low said.
The committee plans to search for candidates among University faculty and to reach out to other potential administrators across the country through advertisements in higher education journals.
"You look for the communications skills to support a large vision, credibility, stick-to-itifness," Casteen said. "And the capacity to walk on water without displaying insecurity."
Search committee members include Drama Department Chairman Robert Chapel, Vice Provost Barbara Nolan, Sociology Professor Steven L. Nock and Farzaneh Milani, associate professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures and Women's Studies.
Other members are Environmental Science Graduate Student Stephanie E. Johnson, Robert Fatton, Jr., government and foreign affairs professor and English Department Chairman Michael H. Levenson.
Law School Dean Robert E. Scott, Chemistry Prof. Brooks Pate, Associate Anthropology Prof. Ellen L. Contini-Moravi, third-year College student Chantal Fiebig, and a pair of alumni, Chris Gustafson and Alan Roberts, round out the panel.
"I have not met with the search committee, and we are still at the stage where we listen to students, faculty and department heads," Casteen said. "This process is not quick."
Leffler could not be reached for comment.
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