University Times

The committee searching for a new president of Pitt's Bradford campus hopes to choose four to six candidates for interviews and campus visits in March and April, according to the committee's chairperson.

The new president will succeed Richard E. McDowell, who last fall announced he would be stepping down June 30 after 29 years as president.

McDowell will return to teaching in the biology department at Bradford following a sabbatical in 2002. He also will work to expand and advance the programs of the college's Allegheny Institute of Natural History.

The search committee has received more than 50 applications and nominations, said Robert F. Pack, vice provost for academic planning and resources management, who chairs the committee. "I am encouraged by the response, and I believe this is an appropriate size candidate pool for this search," he added.

Following the candidates' interviews and campus visits, the committee hopes to submit its final list of candidates by the end of the spring term or shortly thereafter to Pitt Provost James Maher, Pack said.

The anticipated date of appointment is Sept. 1, 2002. Regional campus presidents report to the provost.

The 12-member search committee includes representatives from Bradford's advisory board, faculty, staff, alumni and students. In addition to Pack, search committee members include: advisory board chairperson John M. Cleland; faculty members Carys Evans-Corrales, Lisa Fiorentino, Ronald E. Mattis, Gautam Mukerjee, Richard S. Nelson, Assad Panah and Lauren E. Yaich; staff member James Baldwin; alumna Jill M. Owens, and student Jasent Holland.

The 155-acre Bradford campus includes 17 academic and residential buildings. Established in 1963, Pitt-Bradford offers 25 baccalaureate degrees, two associate degrees and several certificate programs in a variety of professional and traditional arts and science majors. Bradford student enrollment is 1,450 — 950 full-time and 500 part-time students.

–Peter Hart

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