Elise Jorgens named interim provost
Jan. 9, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Dr. Elise B. Jorgens, dean of the Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences, has been named interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Her appointment, effective Jan. 6, was announced by Dr. Daniel M. Litynski, who became interim president of the University Jan. 6, after serving since last year as provost. He will remain in his new role while the University conducts a search to replace former WMU President Elson S. Floyd, who is now the president of the University of Missouri system.
"I thank Elise for her service as dean of arts and sciences and willingness to undertake this responsibility," said Litynski. "We have great confidence in her experience and ability to provide outstanding leadership during this interim period."
Jorgens, who has served as dean since 1997, first came to WMU in 1977 as a member of the music faculty following a stint at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where she served for a year as a resident associate.
In 1978, she joined the faculty of the Department of English, where she has been a tenured professor since 1989. She directed graduate studies in that department from 1989 to 1992.
In 1992, Jorgens was named associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She became interim dean in 1996 and was named to the position permanently the following year.
Jorgens earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Carleton College in 1965 and a doctoral degree in musicology from the City University of New York in 1975. She has been the recipient of a number of fellowships and awards, including two Folger Shakespeare Library Fellowships, an Andrew Mellon Fellowship, three Newberry Library short-term fellowships and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Jorgens is the author of one book and numerous articles, book chapters, dictionary entries and book reviews on English poetry, drama and song. She also is the editor of a 12-volume series of books.
She has been active with the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences and recently completed a term as a member of that organization's board of directors. She also is a member of the Michigan Civics Institute advisory board and a member of the Newberry Library Center for Renaissance Studies Executive Board.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu