Purdue sees administration changes

By Kurt Esposito
Assistant Campus Editor

Over the summer, Purdue welcomed new key members to the administration, while saying goodbye to others.

Provost

Sally Frost Mason began as provost — the University's chief academic officer — on July1.

She previously served at the University of Kansas as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, overseeing 65 percent of the student body.

"She's already having a very positive impact at Purdue. We’re very fortunate to have her as our provost," said Purdue president Martin Jischke.

She replaces Robert Ringel who stepped down as the executive vice president for academic affairs.

Senior vice president for advancement

Murray Blackwelder began as senior vice president for advancement on July 1. He previously served at Iowa State University as the vice president for external affairs. In 2000, Iowa State completed a five-year fund drive that raised $458 million.

Jischke, who worked with Blackwelder at Iowa State, said he has high hopes for Purdue's advancement efforts.

"He's very talented; Purdue's fortunate to have him in the Purdue family," Jischke said of Blackwelder.

Vice president for information technology

James Bottum began this month as the University's first vice president for information technology. He is the former executive director of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois.

Bottum is responsible for the planning and coordination of all computing and information systems in the University, which include the Purdue University Computing Center, telecommunications operations and Purdue Management Information.

Jischke said Bottum is a talented leader that will improve Purdue's information technology.

Vice provost for engagement

Don Gentry was named vice provost for engagement in late July. As vice provost he will work with community members, Indiana governmental leaders and businesses. He previously served as dean of the School of Technology.

Larry Hoffman, head of the department of electrical engineering technology, said, "I think he'll do an outstanding job."

He said Gentry is a capable administrator with the ability to grasp complicated details and clearly address issues, which are integral to outreach in Indiana.

Frederick Emshousen, associate dean of the School of Technology, will serve as interim dean until a permanent replacement is found.

Returning to the classroom

Robert Ringel stepped down as executive vice president for academic affairs on June 30. He returns to teach in the audiology and speech sciences department.

"He has served Purdue for a very long time … and all of us are grateful for his service," said Jischke.

Taking sabbatical

Marilyn Haring stepped down as dean of the School of Education on June 30. She will go on sabbatical for a year.

A.G. Rud, interim head of the education studies department, said "She was terrific as dean; she did a wonderful job."

Jerry Peters, head and professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education, will serve as interim dean while a search for a permanent replacement continues

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Purdue sees administration changes

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

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