Dean's Message: December 2015
Dear Friends of the College,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this issue in my new role as dean of the Eberly College of Science. Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in our college community and promote our mission. I am struck by the passion that our faculty and students have for learning, discovery, and problem solving; the dedication of our hard-working staff in keeping the college running efficiently and in collegial manner; and the engagement and generosity of our science alumni.
My transition has not been the only one in recent months; we have recruited, hired, and also shifted some of the best faculty and staff into pivotal roles that will help the college succeed in achieving its strategic objectives. As you will read in this issue, Barbara Garrison, the former head of the Department of Chemistry, has passed the torch to Tom Mallouk, Evan Pugh University Professor of Chemistry. Mallouk will continue his research and teaching while enhancing faculty development, working on educational improvements, and managing the daily administrative duties as head.
The college has also hired a director of undergraduate research, Tomalei Vess. This newly created position manages the Office of Science Engagement and will help transform the science undergraduate experience by providing students with co-curricular experiences, such as research, internships, and co-ops, that will enrich their education by enabling them to apply and practice what they learn in the classroom.
We also have new leadership in the alumni relations and development office. Joyce Matthews has joined our team as the new senior director of development. Joyce has 15 years of fundraising experience, most recently in the College of Information Sciences and Technology. I look forward to her leadership during the next capital campaign, which begins in summer 2016.
We have a great foundation on which to build future success in the college. As the new dean, I will continue to reach out to our college community as we build and shape the future of our college. Please join me in transforming the Eberly College of Science to achieve its full potential as a vibrant and diverse scientific and educational community that is internationally renowned for excellence, and for improving the world through its discoveries and solutions to life’s most pressing challenges.
Sincerely,
Douglas Cavener