Update on five top leadership position searches

Five top positions at Washington State University are in the search process, and it is anticipated that new leaders will be in place by the Fall 2005 semester.

Three finalists have been selected for one of the searches: the dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences. They are expected to visit WSU later this month. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend open sessions with these candidates once the dates and times are finalized and announced.

Search committees, appointed in 2004, are working hard to assist in identifying the best candidates for all the positions, said Provost Robert Bates.

“It is vitally important that we fill these positions with leaders who have the vision and ability to advance WSU’s mission,” he said.

The openings and status of the searches are:

• International Programs: With Director Robert Harder set to retire, a search committee was convened in April 2004 and has been chaired by Mary Wack, dean of the Honors College.

The title of this position has been changed to associate vice provost for International Programs. After the committee reviewed applications, two candidates were selected to be interviewed. Andrew Gillespie and Jeff Riedinger have just finished their campus visits. An appointment is expected by mid-summer.

• College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences: Dean James J. Zuiches stepped down in August 2003, and R. James Cook has served as interim dean since that time. The search committee was appointed in May 2004 with Warwick Bayly, dean of Veterinary Medicine, as chair.

On recommendations from the committee, the provost has selected three finalists who are expected to visit WSU later this month.

“This step is critical and perhaps the most important part of the process,” said Bayly. “I strongly urge everyone to attend the interviews and provide feedback to the provost.”

The finalists are:

• Daniel J. Bernardo, who specializes in production economics, farm management and natural resources. He is department head of agricultural economics at Kansas State University. He received his B.S. from the University of California Davis in 1980 and his Ph.D. from WSU in 1985.

• Ralph P. Cavalieri, whose research has focused on food and postharvest engineering topics and includes work with new sensors and controls for the tree fruit and processed vegetable industries. He is associate dean of CAHNRS and director of WSU’s Agricultural Research Center. He received his B.S. from the University of Idaho in 1975 and his Ph.D. from WSU in 1985.

• James E. Kinder, whose research emphasis has been the neuroendocrine regulation of puberty, estrous cycle, ovarian follicular development and corpora lutea function in cattle. He is chair of the animal sciences department at Ohio State University. He received his B.S. from the University of Missouri in 1970, M.S. from the University of Nebraska in 1972 and Ph.D. from WSU in 1975.

• College of Liberal Arts: Since Dean Barbara Couture’s departure last summer for her new post as senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs for the University of Nebraska Lincoln, Erich Lear has served as interim dean. The search committee was appointed in late summer 2004 with Judy Mitchell serving as chair.

The committee is screening applications and will forward a pool of finalists to the provost before the end of February. An appointment is expected before the start of the fall academic term.

• College of Engineering and Architecture: Dean Anjan Bose plans to rejoin the faculty in August 2005 to continue his research and work with students. A search committee was formed in November 2004 with Mike Griswold, dean of the College of Sciences, serving as chair. WSU is collaborating with the executive search firm A.T. Kearney.

The search committee has been finalized and is beginning to distribute the recruiting advertisements. An appointment is anticipated prior to fall semester.

• College of Pharmacy: Dean Bill Fassett will rejoin the faculty at the end of this fiscal year, June 30. The search committee was appointed in December 2004. Nick Lovrich, former interim chancellor of WSU Spokane and professor of Political Science, is chairing the committee.

The committee is at work on the timeline, advertising plan and notice of vacancy and will have recruiting advertisements placed shortly. The goal is to make an appointment before the beginning of fall semester.

Lists of all members of these search committees may be found at http://provost.wsu.edu/searches/Status%20update.html.

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