Dear Colleagues,
I’m writing to share a number of leadership decisions following the Board of Trustees meeting held over the weekend.
- After 10 years as president, I will be taking an academic leave this fall, from August 1 to December 31, 2014. Harvard’s Graduate School of Education has offered me its revolving position of “president-in-residence,” where I’ll teach in a graduate course on leadership and governance in higher education and spend the bulk of my time working on a larger writing project. I’m especially grateful to Dr. Judith McLaughlin, director of Harvard’s graduate program in higher education, for the invitation. As some of you know, I’ve been privileged to teach in HGSE’s summer Management Development Program since 2008, and this is very much a homecoming for me.
- Dr. Patricia O’Donoghue will assume the role of interim president in my absence, and then plans to retire January 1, 2015. Pat, as you know, has served as vice president for alumni outreach and engagement and interim provost at DePaul in recent years, but also served as chief academic officer of two other universities and as president at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee.
- Dr. David Miller will assume the role of interim provost for the 2014-2015 academic year, while retaining his position as dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media.
During the recent consultation for an interim provost in the 2014-2015 year, Pat’s name rose constantly from all quarters of the university community, asking that she be reappointed for another year. I spoke with Pat before meeting with our trustees, and she confirmed her intention to retire in January 2015, but agreed to accept this new role if asked. I trust that your vote of confidence will follow her as she temporarily assumes the presidency.
After Pat’s, David’s name was most frequent among the university community’s suggestions for interim provost. A number of respondents spoke of the positive way in which he worked closely with faculty leadership these past two years to help draft a more effective faculty handbook, one that has received the strong endorsement of Faculty Council as each chapter received a vote of approval. Others noted his quiet, steady leadership of CDM as dean and his long service and knowledge of the university. I have relied on his knowledge at important moments over the years, finding his judgment balanced and wise. I am glad that he received such a strong endorsement from the university community, and I know he and Pat will work together well when I am away.
I apologize that I was unable to inform you of my planned academic leave when I first consulted you on the question of selecting an interim provost. This had to be affirmed by DePaul’s board at its March 1stmeeting, and the announcement had to be coordinated with Harvard. I simply couldn’t “announce” something that wasn’t yet finalized in all its aspects. And yet, I wanted to know your thoughts as the board and I considered the leadership for the coming year.
During the course of that consultation, more than a few faculty proposed that DePaul consider pushing the search for a new provost into the 2015-2016 academic year, to ensure a strong pool of candidates and to give the interim provost time to undertake and complete some of the more important initiatives before us. I can see pros and cons to this, and so I welcome your thoughts on the matter. David has made clear that he will not be a candidate for the permanent position, but that he is willing to serve until a permanent provost is chosen. If you have thoughts on this question, please send them by April 7th toSECRETARY@DEPAUL.EDU.
Finally, I was aware of the campus conversations about whether I was considering applying for the open presidency of our sister school, St. John’s University, where I began my faculty career 25 years ago. I love SJU, but I did not apply. DePaul is an extraordinary place, filled with faculty and professional staff who are dedicated to our students and to the great educational mission this institution accomplishes each and every year. I love our mission and am deeply committed to it. Even more, I love being part of a community with all of you. While I am taking time next fall for some writing and relaxation, I am also looking forward to returning with redoubled energy to work alongside you.
With gratitude and respect for all you do for this great institution,
Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.
President
President
Source: Email to DePaul Community, March 5, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment