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By Joe Kleinsasser

The search for professor of global learning — the only endowed professorship of its kind in Kansas and one of only a few nationwide — is under way.

The professor will be expected to serve as a leader to the WSU and Wichita communities in what’s called "global learning" — the ability to apply advanced technology to teaching and learning.

In January The Boeing Co. established the position with a $1.5 million gift, the largest corporate cash gift ever received by WSU.

Comprising the search committee are Ramesh Agarwal, National Institute for Aviation Research; Susan Cherches, Center for Management Development; Philip Gaunt, Elliott School of Communication; Philip Howze, Ablah Library; Don Malzahn, industrial and manufacturing engineering; Lois Waln, Cessna Aircraft; Robert Waner, Boeing; and Mike Wood, Media Resources Center. Bill Wilhelm, dean of the College of Engineering, chairs the committee.

The search committee hopes to interview the top candidates on campus in early April, with a final selection likely to be made in May. The goal is to have the new professor start work at WSU in July.

An open forum for faculty and staff will be included in the interview process. Each candidate will make a short presentation on the current status of global learning and their view of its future.

The Boeing professor will report jointly to the dean of the College of Engineering and the executive director of NIAR.

When the gift was announced in January, President Beggs said, "Boeing’s gift will catapult WSU to the forefront of distance learning, especially as it applies to engineering. In addition, the impact of this position will have spin-off effects that will touch the lives of thousands of Kansans by delivering education in such areas as health care, business education and teacher training."