Provost search continues
Staff Writer
After a lengthy search process, three candidates have been selected for on-campus interviews for the position of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
The three candidates for the position are Dr. Jo Allen of Raleigh, N.C., Dr. William Pollard of Georgetown, Ky., and Alma College’s current interim Provost Dr. Michael Selmon.
“The Provost is the academic leader of the campus, and is responsible for the core function of the institution,” committee chair Mel Nyman, professor of mathematics said.. “The Provost is the reason we exist.”
The Provost is responsible for maintaining all areas of academic life at the College. The new Provost will also be instrumental in continuing and maintaining Alma’s “College of Distinction” Plan, which has been implemented over the last few years and will be completed before 2008.
The extended interviews will let the candidates get a feel for what Alma College, and allow the search committee to help narrow down their choice.
Faculty and administrative members of the search committee are Margarita Krakusin, assistant professor of Spanish, John Ottenhoff, professor of English, Mike Yavenditti, professor of history, Robert Cunningham, assistant professor of economics, Carol Slater, professor of psychology, Nick Piccolo, Vice President of Student Life, and President Tracy. Justin Desjarlais (04) is the student representative for the search committee.
The Provost position became vacant last June when Dr. Reginald Avery left to pursue a position at another college in South Carolina. Dr. Selmon, who was already Dean of Faculty, became the interim Provost. A search committee was created in the fall, and it received a substantial amount of applications during that time.
Nyman hopes for a Provost who will stay at Alma for a long time. “It is time that we have a good, solid, longterm appointment,” he said.
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