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Provost search to begin with public forum

June 12, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University will launch its search for a new provost June 15 with a public forum featuring a consultant from one of the nation's leading academic search firms.

James B. Appleberry of Academic Search Consultation Service will lead the public forum, set for 3 p.m. Thursday, June 15, in Room 210 of the Bernhard Center. While on campus, Appleberry, who has been hired to assist the University in its search, will meet with a universitywide search advisory committee appointed by WMU President Judith I. Bailey. That committee, which will be led by Dr. Margaret Merrion, dean of the College of Fine Arts, includes faculty, staff, administrators and students.

The search is being conducted to identify a successor to Dr. Janet I. Pisaneschi, who accepted a one-year appointment as provost and vice president for academic affairs late last month, following the resignation of Dr. Linda Delene.

Appleberry is president emeritus of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and former president of both Pittsburg State University and Northern Michigan University. He has been a consultant with Academic Search Consultation Services since 2000. The firm works solely in the academic arena and specializes in searches for presidents and provosts.

While visiting campus, Appleberry will also meet with a variety of campus community members, including Kalamazoo area trustees, the president, faculty leadership, administrators, students, alumni and community members.

In addition to Merrion, members of the search advisory committee are: Tracy Branson, associate vice president for development; Dr. James M. Butterfield, professor of political science; Sharon Carlson, director of the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections; Dr. Katherine Cummings, associate dean of the College of Education; Tony O. Dennis, advisor in the Graduate College; Dr. Eileen Evans, vice provost for institutional effectiveness; Dr. Richard Gershon, professor of communication; Amanda Grove, president of the Western Student Association; Dr. John M. Hanley, chair of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology; Dr. John A. Jellies, professor of biological sciences; Dr. Mary Lagerway, associate professor of nursing and president of the Faculty Senate; Dr. William W. Liou, professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering; Barbara McKinney, registrar;

Viji Murali, vice president for information technology and chief information officer; Rosana Reboucas, chair of the Graduate Student Advisory Council; Dr. William Rutherford, professor of aviation sciences; Dr. Thomas Scannell, associate professor of management; Carrie Soule, office associate in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships; Jeffrey A. Stone, associate director of intercollegiate athletics; Janice D. Van Der Kley, associate vice president for finance; Dr. Martha Warfield, assistant vice president for student affairs; and Dr. Paul Wilson, associate professor of teaching, learning and leadership and president of the WMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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