By Juila Mericle
Assistant News Editor
The School of Arts and Sciences welcomes David Danahar as the interim dean for the 2014-2015 academic year. Danahar is replacing Wolfgang Natter, who accepted a position as chief academic officer at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.
An elected committee of faculty members reviewed both internal and external candidates and then presented their recommendation to Sister Margaret Carney, university president, for approval.Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Fischer explains that Danahar has held several positions similar to this, including President of Southwest Minnesota State University, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Loyola University New Orleans, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University, and Interim Provost of Valdosta State University.
“I’ve had considerable experience in higher education,” Danahar said. “Over the years, I probably have encountered most things that occur in an institution of higher education.”Danahar said he plans to make himself available to students and to see what he can offer to the School of Arts and Sciences. “What I look forward to primarily is interacting with the members of the College of Arts and Sciences: the faculty, the staff, and, of course, the students,” Danahar said.
Danahar notes that while it is too early to predict what challenges the year will hold, he does expect some concerns of the institution, such as the size of incoming classes, to be addressed during his time as interim dean.Regarding the span of Danahar’s time in the position, he notes, “I’m here just this year, and that’s as far as I would go with that.”
