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A
Time of transitions
Interim
Dean Stewart Hoover |
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Friends
and alumni know that the School is in a time of transition on
a number of fronts.
- We
are in a national search for a new dean, following last
spring's resignation of Willard D. Rowland Jr., who had
led the School for 12 years. A search committee composed
of faculty and friends of the School is hard at work and
intends to have a permanent dean in place by July 1.
- We
are moving. After many years of growth in faculty, students
and programs, we have struggled to make do with increasingly
inadequate facilities. In July the School is moving to the
Armory building. While this moves us a few yards farther
away from the center of campus, it will provide much needed
room for curriculum, faculty and new programs. We join the
School of Continuing Education in the Grandview Terrace
Neighborhood, and we look forward to our residence there.
The move is temporary, however, as we already are in the
process of planning for a new, permanent building of our
own.
- We
are adding new laboratories, classrooms and programs. In
this and other issues of Bylines, are stories about the
Laboratory for New Media Strategy and Design, renewed support
for our Center for Environmental Journalism, our New Media
Center and our research and curricular programs. Other initiatives
are already in the pipeline. With the creative and talented
faculty and students we have, we can always expect to be
talking about new ideas and approaches.
- Meanwhile,
we continue with our core activities of teaching, research,
creative work and service. Our fine faculty, students and
other colleagues continue with a collaboration that has
made the School a key player at CU for more than 30 years.
We have not let things drop as we've moved through these
transitions.
So, how is our health as a School? Psychologists tell us it
is unhealthy to go through too many changes at one time. Should
we be worried? I am happy to report that we are very well, thank
you. The changes over the past year have given us a sense of
focus and common purpose. Faculty, students and staff have pulled
together. The University's administration has been very supportive.
We feel good about where we are and where we are going.
This column regularly recognizes the efforts of the faculty
and our students. I don't want to diminish their contributions,
but I'd like to close by mentioning some others who deserve
credit for the School's current strengths and successes. We
have an outstanding network of friends and alumni who have been
steadfast in their support and who challenge us all by their
commitment to the School and its mission. We will be calling
on them even more in the months and years ahead, and I am confident
they will rise to the challenge.
We have an exceptional Advisory Board whose members give of
their time and talents to help us achieve goals that would be
well beyond our reach without their advice and support. I'd
particularly like to recognize Phil Karsh ('57), who chairs
the Board, and John Winsor, who has recently agreed to chair
the Board's Resource Development Committee. As we move ahead,
we will need a mix of resources, both financial and moral, to
be able to carry out our important tasks. Through the work of
these individuals and groups, we have great hope of entering
the new century in an even stronger position.
Finally, I do want to acknowledge the work of Wick Rowland,
who decided last spring to step out of the dean's chair to return
to teaching and research. Under Wick's leadership, the School
underwent unprecedented growth and development. We move ahead
into a new era on a broader and firmer foundation thanks to
his efforts.
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