Trustees approve several personnel recommendations
Jan. 27, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- The previously announced appointment of an interim provost, the naming of an interim department chairperson, and the retirements of four faculty and staff members were among personnel moves approved by the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees at its Jan. 24 meeting.
Trustees approved the previously announced appointment of Dr. Elise B. Jorgens as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. Jorgens, whose appointment was effective Jan. 6, replaces Dr. Daniel M. Litynski, who is serving as the University's interim president during its current presidential search.
The board also signed off on the appointment, which was effective Oct. 28, of Dr. Michael Barcelona as interim chairperson of the Department of Chemistry. He replaces Dr. Jay C. Means, whose return to the faculty was approved by trustees at their Dec. 13 meeting.
Barcelona first came to WMU 1989, when he was appointed director of the Institute for Water Sciences and a tenured professor of chemistry. He held that position until 1994, when he left to become a research professor at the University of Michigan and director of operations for U of M's National Center for Integrated Bioremediation Research and Development. He returned to WMU in 2001 as a professor of chemistry, specializing in environmental, organic and analytical chemistry research.
Barcelona earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's College
in Winona, Minn., a master's degree from Northeastern University
and a doctoral degree from the University of Puerto Rico. He
also has held research positions at the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources, the University of Illinois and the California
Institute of Technology.
The retirements of one faculty member and three staff members
also were approved by trustees at the meeting.
The faculty member who is retiring is doing so with emeritus status. Dr. Gary Chartrand, professor of mathematics, will have served WMU for 42 continuous years, when he retires Aug. 12, 2006.
The staff members retiring, their years of continuous service and effective dates of retirement are: Steven T. Berger, coordinator of aviation compliance and logistics in the College of Aviation, 31 1/2 years, effective Feb. 28, 2003; Dennis R. Fleck, facility technician in the Department of Telecommunications, 10 years, effective Feb. 2, 2003; and Linda M. Lamb, administrative assistant in Extended University Programs, 11 1/2 years, effective Feb. 14, 2003.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu