Candidates for dean of university libraries to visit WSU

Searches are under way for other administrators

By Amy Geiszler-Jones and Joseph Kleinsasser

There will be several new faces in top-level WSU jobs over the next several months. National searches are under way for a vice president for student affairs, Barton School of Business dean, dean of university libraries, Center for Economic Development and Business Research director, and athletics director.

The university also will conduct a national search for the College of Engineering dean. Longtime dean Bill Wilhelm announced earlier this month that he will retire in June 2000. He has served as dean of the college since 1979, and oversaw many changes that have greatly enhanced the strength and position of the college in industry, research and recruitment.

Three candidates for the dean of university libraries will visit campus this month. The WSU community has an opportunity to meet each candidate during open forums. All open forums will meet from 4-5 p.m. with receptions following in the Rhatigan Student Center. The candidates are:

• Ruth Jackson, who has been dean of libraries at West Virginia University, assistant director of libraries and head of public services at the University of North Florida. She will visit April 19-20, with the open forum being held April 19 in the second-floor RSC Great Plains Room.

• Lawrence McCrank, who has been executive director of libraries and learning resources at Davenport College, dean of library and instructional services at Ferris State University, dean of libraries at Auburn University and senior editor of Haworth Press. He will visit April 22-23, with the open forum being held April 22 in the third-floor RSC President’s Room.

• David Carlson, who has been director of libraries at Bridgewater State College and executive director of the Triangle Research Library Network in Chapel Hill, N.C. Carlson will visit April 26-27, with the open forum being held April 26 in the RSC Great Plains Room.

Since the retirement of Jasper Schad last summer, Phil Howze and Kathy Downes are serving as interim deans.

In the search for the Barton School of Business dean, the field has been narrowed to four finalists who will be invited to WSU in the next few weeks for interviews. Gerald Graham, who has been dean since 1993, is returning to full-time teaching July 1.

Twenty-eight candidates showed an interest in the vice president for student affairs position, according to search committee chair Donna Hawley. The committee has narrowed the field to 11 and plans to narrow the field to at least three or more candidates, following reference checks. The finalists will be interviewed on campus before the semester ends.

In addition to Hawley, the search committee includes Barbara Hodson, Tina Bennett-Kastor and Phil Howze representing faculty; Connie Dietz representing unclassified staff; Ellie Duram representing classified staff; Lori Reesor and Christine Schneikart-Luebbe representing student affairs; and Sean Robinson, Roula Attar and Linda Michael representing the students.

Tony Ross is currently serving as interim vice president for student affairs.

The search for a new CEDBR director is just getting started, with applications due April 30. Search committee chair Bart Hildreth, Regents Distinguished Professor of Public Finance, said interviews are expected to get under way in May. Carlene Hill, the current director, is leaving WSU at the end of June to pursue personal interests. The blue-ribbon search committee includes Tim Witsman, president, Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce; Bill Buchanan, Sedgwick County manager; Ray Trail, Wichita’s finance director; and WSU members Eric Sexton, Jen-Chi Cheng and Hill.

WSU also is launching a search for a new athletics director, following Bill Belknap’s announcement April 1 that he is retiring June 30. Members of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association board of directors will serve as the screening committee to recommend finalists to President Beggs.