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SCIENCE DEAN NAMED NEW
PROVOST AT UAF
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 1998
Fairbanks, Alaska - University of Alaska Fairbanks Science, Engineering and Mathematics Dean Paul Reichardt will become UAF's second provost, serving as the institution's chief academic officer and a key link between teaching and research activities.
Reichardt replaces John P. Keating, who is leaving UAF June 30 to become chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Keating was UAF's first provost and was part of a restructuring plan implemented by UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow in 1992. Wadlow eliminated three of the existing four vice chancellor positions at that time, and combined the positions of vice chancellor for academic affairs and vice chancellor for research into the provost's job. Keating came to UAF in 1994.
Wadlow announced Reichardt's appointment Friday in Juneau after the UA Board of Regents meeting. Wadlow began an internal provost search last month, saying that leadership stability at UAF is critical at this time.
"I wanted to move quickly to find
a successor. We looked internally to find a proven leader. We
found him. Dr. Reichardt's contributions to UAF and his commitment
to the faculty and students is broad based and exemplary. His
ability to step into new administrative roles with the least amount
of disruption is extraordinary. He also communicates optimism
about our future and the opportunities for UAF's leadership in
arctic research. I'm very proud that we have that caliber of talent
at UAF," Wadlow said.
UAF music professor Madeline Schatz, president-elect of the faculty senate, chaired the screening committee that unanimously recommended Reichardt to Wadlow.
Reichardt has been with UAF since 1972 serving in a variety of posts, including professor and then head of the Department of Chemistry.
He became dean of the College of Natural Sciences in 1991 after serving as interim dean for one year. He also served UAF as interim provost in 1993 and as acting director of the University of Alaska Museum.
In May of 1996 Reichardt was named dean of the restructured College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. The new college was a result of a statewide "program assessment" mandated in 1995 by the UA Board of Regents in order to reduce costs by $10 million. Several UAF schools and colleges were streamlined and administration reduced to better link academic programs, and to integrate the delivery of those programs. Throughout these various administrative assignments, Reichardt has also continued teaching at UAF as a chemistry professor.
Reichardt has spearheaded several critical task forces for UAF and the statewide university system. He was also instrumental in lobbying efforts for funding for the Natural Sciences Facility, which opened at UAF in 1995. An important component was his involvement with students in that effort. The facility was a top university priority for more than two decades and when it opened, it was the first new classroom facility at UAF since the Gruening Building was constructed in 1971.
CONTACT:
UAF Public Information Officer Debra Damron (907) 474-7122.
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DPD/4-17-98/98-052
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