By Rachel Konieczny
Assistant News Editor
The search for permanent dean for the School of Arts and Sciences concluded on March 27 and will resume during the 2015-16 academic year.
The search committee for the dean recommended to Michael Fischer, provost and vice president for academic affairs, that the search be shut down due to a lack of suitable candidates and timing in the academic year. Fischer and Sister Margaret Carney, O.S.F., university president, would make the final decision on a candidate’s hiring.
The committee includes Maureen Cox, a mathematics professor; Daniel Ellis, an English professor; David Levine, a computer science professor; Phillip Payne, a history professor; and Robin Valeri, a psychology professor.
Levine, a three-time search committee member for dean for School of the Arts and Sciences, said the committee received 52 total applications for the position of dean for the School of Arts and Sciences by the deadline.
The committee then ranked each of the 52 applicants on an absolute 1-5 scale and phone interviewed about 12 applicants. According to Levine, two candidates initially accepted an invitation to campus and later withdrew without explanation, while two others who were also being considered withdrew due to other dean position offers.
“I think the problem was that the timetable had slipped to too late in the academic year,” Levine said. “One of our recommendations to the provost for next year’s search is that it [be moved] to an earlier timetable.”
The search for dean of the School of Arts and Sciences began when Wolfgang Natter, former dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, left Bonaventure in July 2014 to take the position of vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Faculty at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.
David Danahar is the current interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Fischer said he anticipates a new interim dean for 2015-16 will be appointed by the end of the current academic year or by early summer at the latest, until a new permanent dean is named.
“Our programs in the School of Arts and Sciences are continuing to function quite well during this current year with the leadership of interim dean, Dr. David Danahar,” Fischer said. “I am certain that we will be able to continue to function well while we continue the search for the right permanent dean of our school.”
James White, former head of school and academic dean of Linden Hall in Lititz, Pennsylvania, was the remaining applicant for dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He was not a candidate for interim dean and was not considered for the interim position, Fischer said.
According to Levine, the procedure for selecting a dean begins with the recommendation process, which is confidential.
“The reason for the confidentiality is to lend full support to whatever decision is ultimately reached,” Levine said. “For instance, if a second choice of the committee [were] hired for any reason, it would be a disservice to that person to take over the job with the community knowing that such a person wasn’t the first choice.”
Levine said this policy extends to any faculty hiring.
Fischer hopes to see several characteristics in the next applicant pool for dean.
“Among the qualities that I hope to see in candidates for the interim and permanent dean positions are a passion for our university and its mission, a vision of the future of education in the arts and sciences and a demonstrated record of accomplishment in academic administration and leadership,” Fischer said.
Levine said he has high expectations for future candidates.
“I am hopeful that our next dean will be able to advocate for the School of Arts and Sciences, highlighting the great things that happen here,” Levine said. “I also hope that the dean will be able to provide leadership in helping faculty develop a true 21st century curriculum.”
He said he defines this leadership as forward thinking through the allocation of financial, educational and developmental resources.
“I believe that in doing so, the dean will be able raise the profile, the achievements and the morale of all associated with the school,” Levine said.
