Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos has named Blair School of Music Dean Mark Wait to chair the search committee for provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs position left vacant when he was named chancellor.
“We find ourselves at an exciting and dynamic moment in our history,” said Zeppos. “Vanderbilt’s new provost will play a central role in shaping our academic future.”
Zeppos said that while external candidates would not be excluded from the search, the focus would primarily be on internal candidates.
“I believe that in all ranks across the university there are very qualified outstanding candidates,” he said. “I also think it is in the university’s best interests to have a provost in place as soon as possible.”
The chancellor said he would like to appoint the new provost by Commencement, which is scheduled this year for May 9. If that goal cannot be met, he said he wants to make the appointment no later than July 1.
The ideal provost candidate, according to Zeppos, would be a respected academic leader devoted to teaching, discovery and research. That individual would also have a balanced and deep commitment to the core mission of Vanderbilt and a record of support for the broad range of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, physical and biological sciences and professional disciplines that constitute Vanderbilt.
Mark Wait, dean of the Blair School of Music, will serve as chair of the search committee. Committee members represent faculty, students, alumni, staff and Board of Trust.
In addition to Wait, committee members are Jon Ahlbin, president, Graduate Student Council; Jeff Balser, associate vice chancellor for research and James Tayloe Gwathmey Professor of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology; Joe Blackburn, James A. Speyer Professor of Management; Lauren Brisky, vice chancellor for administration and chief financial officer; Ellen Fanning, professor of biological sciences; Dan Fleetwood, chair of electrical engineering and computer science and professor of electrical engineering; Robin Fountain, Blair School associate professor of conducting; Ellen Goldring, professor of leadership, policy and organizations; Chris Guthrie, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law; Leah Marcus, Edwin Mims Professor of English; John McClure, Charles G. Finney Professor of Homiletics; Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, director and professor of African American studies and professor of French; Joseph Williams, student body president; and Bill Wilson, member of the Board of Trust.
Contact: Missy Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
Missy.pankake@vanderbilt.edu
