After a lengthy search for candidates for the position of dean of academic affairs, the Search Committee has narrowed the field of applicants to four contenders, all of whom have been invited to visit the campus.
The four candidates?Hamilton College Associate Dean of the Faculty and Associate Professor of Chemistry Timothy Elgren, University of Pennsylvania Associate Professor in Music Cristle Judd, University of Dayton Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biology Mary Morton, and MIT Professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Kip Hodges?were selected from a pool of over 100 applicants.
According to President Barry Mills, the caliber of the applicants was "extremely high with many people who are excellent. It was gratifying to see the interest in the position."
Those applying for the position underwent a rigorous evaluation as the Search Committee sought an "accomplished scholar who is ambitious for Bowdoin." The committee was also looking for a sensitive candidate who would be well-liked by the student body, according to Mills.
The applicants came from various backgrounds?some professors, some school administrators. According to an email statement by Mills, "We are very pleased to have had a diverse and remarkably talented applicant pool from which to choose and to have these four strong candidates to introduce to the campus community; we are enthusiastic about all of them."
The four candidates will be arriving on campus for their evaluations soon?Elgren from November 7 to 9, Judd from November 9 to 11, Morton from November 14 to 16, and Hodges from November 16 to 18.
According to Mills, these visits will be an opportunity not only for the Bowdoin community to be introduced to the candidates, but also for the candidates to become acquainted with Bowdoin. For this reason, Mills said that it is important that the campus community show them the best of Bowdoin.
In an effort to involve the entire community in the selection process, all students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend the open-campus meetings at which point the candidates will make statements and answer any relevant questions.
According to the email, the Search Committee welcomes "reactions and comments from all members of the community about the candidates. You may choose to convey your comments orally to any member of the Search Committee (who will then convey them to the rest of the committee), or you may choose to provide your comments in writing."
While this level of involvement is not necessarily available in many colleges, according to Mills, it is typical among smaller colleges such as Bowdoin to involve the whole community in this process.
Over the next few weeks, the Search Committee will be conducting formal referencing of each of the candidates.
The Search Committee is slated to meet during the week of November 28 and hopes to reach a final decision by the end of the calendar year. The new dean will begin work July 1.