By the end of the summer University students, faculty and staff will see five new people in some of the most prominent positions at the University.
Meet the new vice president and provost, College dean, University police chief, senior vice president, and chancellor at the University of Virginia's College at Wise.
"These positions are keys to success in each of several areas, and we have hired the right people," University President John T. Casteen III said. "Each new person brings unique skills to positions like these."
Vice President and provost
Casteen has appointed Gene D. Block, a biology professor and vice president for research and public service, to succeed Peter W. Low as University vice president and provost based on recommendations by a search committee.
"I'm surprised," Block said of his appointment. And "I'm very gratified that the president and search committee expressed confidence in me."
As vice president and provost, Block will serve as the University's chief academic officer. He will be responsible for overseeing education, research and public service in each school of the University, and his job duties will range from recruiting, hiring, and retention of faculty to overseeing the University's libraries and museums.
Block's agenda also includes implementing the Virginia 2020 commission recommendations to steer University development and enrichment in science and technology, international activities, performing and fine arts and public service activities.
He also aims to retain elements of the excellent undergraduate education, but hopes the University will make dramatic strides as a research institution as well.
Block, who will start Sept. 1, said he will strive to ensure that the University is a player on the international scene and supports hiring visiting faculty from across the globe to teach as well as sending current University faculty and students abroad.
While his duties as vice president and provost may be time-consuming, Block said he plans to continue his work in the biology department as both a teacher and a researcher.
Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Looking for a candidate with visionary leadership and outstanding scholarship, a search committee selected Edward L. Ayers, the Hugh P. Kelly professor of History, to succeed Melvyn P. Leffler as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Ayers will take over Aug. 25.
Charged with overseeing and coordinating many aspects related to students and faculty in the College, Ayers ultimately will be responsible for the education of about 80 percent of the students at the University.
Ayers said he wants students to have as rich an educational experience as possible and to improve every aspect of University does by concentrating on the student body.
"That involves offering what only a research university can provide: a broad array of exciting and innovative classes, a chance to engage in cutting-edge research, opportunities for working with people from diverse backgrounds and points of view, and engagement with the local community and the world beyond," he said.
As with Block, Ayers plans to continue both his research and teaching, offering an undergraduate class, The Rise and Fall of the Old South, this fall and a graduate class in the spring, while serving in this new administrative capacity.
"I think it's important for me to stay in touch with students and there's no better way to do that than by teach a class myself," he added.
Ayers said he plans to build on the work done by his predecessor, Melvyn P. Leffler, citing Leffler's devotion to the College, engagement with new technologies, fundraising efforts and attracting top faculty to the University.
"I am very confident that Ed Ayers has the skills required to be an exceptional dean," search committee member said Block a member of the search committee. "He's a first-rate scholar and teacher and an outstanding individual. I look forward to working with him."
University police chief
After months of a nationwide search followed by interviews with candidates, administrators have hired University of Indiana Police Chief Paul E. Norris to head the University police department.
Effective August 1, Norris will oversee the safety of more than 18,400 students and 11,000 faculty and staff members in addition to the University medical center. The police chief also directs security for athletic events and visits by distinguished speakers.
Leonard W. Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, appointed the search committee last October. Members looked for candidates with an understanding of how law enforcement and crime prevention work in cooperation with a University's educational mission.
Members also examined previous police leadership and management roles at a similar university and excellent communication skills, among other qualifications, said Louise Dudley, University relations director and committee member.
"Paul is a seasoned, committed and hard-working police professional," Sandridge said. "Paul's impressive record, leadership style and commitment to excellence fits well with what I consider to be an exceptionally high-quality police department here at the University of Virginia."
While administrators are excited about Norris' arrival, they continue to speak highly of his predecessor Michael Sheffield who is retiring after 17 years as University police chief.
"The University is most certainly a better place because of [Sheffield's] personal commitment, professionalism and down-to-earth nature," Sandridge said. "I am personally and professionally saddened by his departure."
Norris could not be reached for comment.
Senior vice president
Despite reports that Vice President of Student Affairs William W. Harmon was in contention for a position at Ohio State University, Harmon will stay at the University, promoted to senior vice president.
Harmon will serve as a member of the planning team for the new basketball and special events facility. He will also assist in applying proposals from the athletics task force with regard to academic and student life.
Harmon also will represent the University in various community organizations and will work in cooperation with University officials to help attract more minority faculty and students.
Harmon could not be reached for comment.
Harmon "brings valuable experience with student-life issues and with Division I athletics to his new role," Casteen said in a press release. "He is well equipped to be an ambassador for the University in many settings, and I am pleased that he has agreed to take on these new responsibilities on the University's behalf."
Patricia M. Lampkin, associate vice president for student affairs, will serve as interim vice president until a replacement is found.
Chancellor of College at Wise
Steven Kaplan, Butler University dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Indiana, is slated to become the seventh chancellor at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, the University's only branch college. Formal approval of Kaplan's appointment is expected at the June 15 Board of Visitors meeting in Charlottesville.
Beating out over 60 other applicants, Kaplan's energy and creativity made him stand out, said Gary Juhan, College at Wise's vice chancellor for student affairs and search committee member.
Juhan said Kaplan also displayed other qualities committee members were looking for, including a high degree of energy for such a demanding position in addition to enthusiasm for the school's history, region and its relationship to the University.
Committee members also wanted "a person who had an understanding and appreciation for the system of shared governance and understood strategic planning," Juhan added.
As of July 1, Kaplan will be overseeing various aspects at the College at Wise, including strategic planning, fund-raising, community outreach and guaranteeing that all 1,500 enrolled students get a good education, he said.
Kaplan said he also aims to bring the college up in national ranking to become a top-tiered liberal arts school, enhance the financial strength of the institution and improve student retention.
Though he currently teaches English at Butler in addition to fulfilling his duties as dean, Kaplan said he does not plan to teach for at least a year or two so he can acclimate himself to the campus and "get a sense for the pulse of the institution from students, faculty and staff."
Drawn to the College at Wise because of its liberal arts focus, size, location and affiliation with the University, Kaplan said he is excited to start his new position as chancellor.
"This is, for me and my wife, an exciting thing," he said. "We have fallen in love with the place and the people. We both believe in the college's mission"
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