KU’s dean of libraries to retire

Now might be the time to move if you want to be in the top brass of Kansas University.

Bentley

The announcement Thursday that Stella Bentley, dean of libraries, will retire raised the total number of high-profile administrative vacancies to six. Among them are the positions of provost and dean of one of the university’s largest colleges.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said it’s a bit unusual to be looking for a dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the same time as a search is on for a provost. But otherwise, he said, the search for five key administrators and a new candidate to fill the former dean of students position wasn’t unusual.

“This is pretty normal,” Hemenway said. “You’ll always find a lot of changes in a university this big.”

The announcement of Bentley’s retirement came as KU also announced the 18-member search committee assembled to look for a successor to Provost David Shulenburger, who announced last month he will return to teaching at the end of June.

Jeff Aube, a medical chemistry professor, will chair the committee.

“We’re getting right to work,” Aube said.

Aube said the committee wanted to conduct an efficient but careful search. The job description is being written, and the position will be advertised with the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Hemenway created the provost’s position in a reorganization in 1996.

“It’s very important to everybody that we identify and attract an outstanding leader to the campus,” Aube said.

After advertising the position, the next step will be to review applications and whittle down the list of candidates. Aube said he then expected interviews to be conducted in the beginning of 2006. And the committee likely will recommend three to five candidates to the chancellor.

Hemenway said he’s most focused on the provost’s search.

“We’re going to be very aggressive,” he said. “I think there’s a good chance we would be able to name a new provost by spring.”

Six positions to fill

¢ Provost to replace David Shulen-burger, who announced in September he will retire at the end of June.

¢ School of Law dean to replace Stephen McAllister, who announced in January he would resign and return to teaching. His position is held by interim dean Mike Davis.

¢ Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to replace Kim Wilcox, who left July 1 to become provost at Michigan State University. Barbara Romzek is serving as interim dean.

¢ Dean of the School of Social Welfare to replace Ann Weick, who is retiring to write and be more involved in community projects. A new dean is expected to be appointed by the beginning of the 2006-07 school year.

¢ Associate vice provost in the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success (formerly dean of students) to replace Richard Johnson, who was fired in April. Frank DeSalvo is holding Johnson’s position in the interim.

¢ Dean of libraries to replace Stella Bentley, who is retiring at the end of this academic year.

Provost search committee

Provost David Shulenburger announced in September that he will retire at the end of June. The following staff members are on the search committee charged with finding a new provost for the university.

¢ Jeff Aube (chairman), medical chemistry professor

¢ Elizabeth Asiedu, associate professor of economics

¢ Daryle Busch, Roy A. Roberts distinguished professor of chemistry

¢ Victor Frost, Dan F. Servey distinguished professor of electrical engineering and computer science

¢ John Gaunt, dean of architecture

¢ Estela Gavosto, associate chairwoman of mathematics

¢ Kathy Jansen, comptroller’s office

¢ Toni Johnson, assistant professor of social welfare

¢ Paul Koch, professor of business

¢ Stan Lombardo, professor of classics

¢ Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett, senior vice provost

¢ Karen Miller, senior vice chancellor, KU Medical Center, and dean of nursing and allied health

¢ Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success

¢ Val Stella, distinguished professor of pharmaceutical chemistry

¢ Denise Stephens, vice provost for information services

¢ Nick Sterner, student body president

¢ Susan Twombly, professor of teaching and leadership

¢ Deanell Tacha, law alumnus and chief judge of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit