UT names three founding deans to head new colleges
By Jon Strunk : December 6th, 2010
The University of Toledo Board of Trustees Academic and Student Affairs Committee Dec. 6 approved and forwarded to the full Board for consideration the deanships of five newly formed colleges.
The committee recommended:
• Dr. Alice Skeens — dean, College of Language, Literature and Social Sciences;
• Dr. Karen Bjorkman — dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics;
• Debra Davis — dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts;
• Dr. Ben Pryor — dean, College of Innovative Learning; and
• Dr. Beverly Schmoll — dean, Judith Herb College of Education, Health Science and Human Service.
Skeens, associate professor of psychology and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been at UT for more than 45 years serving in various administrative capacities in the college as well as the Office of the President. She earned her doctorate from UT, a master’s degree from West Virginia University and a bachelor’s degree from Concord College.
Bjorkman, Distinguished University Professor of Astronomy and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, joined UT in 1996. She earned her doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Davis, professor of art and chair of the Department of Art, joined UT in 2000. She earned a master’s degree in fine art from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and both a master’s degree in instruction technology and a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University.
“These individuals will serve an essential leadership role as founding deans for three colleges that will be vital to the educational and research experiences of students and faculty across the University,” said Dr. William McMillen, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “I am excited by their energy and ideas, and they will join an outstanding team of deans at an important time for this institution.”
The committee also recommended Pryor and Schmoll to the full Board; the pair had been named to lead their respective colleges in November.
Meanwhile, the committee approved honorary degree nominations for Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat SpA, and Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and chief executive officer of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the country’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care. Marchionne’s degree will be awarded in May at University commencement, and Lavizzo-Mourey’s degree will be given during the June College of Medicine commencement.