TO: Members of the University Community
FROM: M. Beverly Swan
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
DATE: September 4, 2007
SUBJECT: Appointment of the Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy
I am pleased to announce that Mr. Ronald P. Jordan, R.Ph. has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy, effective September 24, 2007. As many of you know, Ron serves as the Chair of the College’s Leadership Council. As a graduate of URI’s College of Pharmacy, Ron brings broad experience in the areas of pharmacy and allied health. He has served as President of APhA, the largest national professional society of pharmacists in the world.
President Carothers and I have asked Ron to play a leadership role in securing the major gifts necessary for the completion of the new Pharmacy Building. We feel he is in an excellent position to help us with this undertaking.
We have also asked Associate Dean Lausier to assume additional responsibilities during this interim period, especially as those responsibilities relate to the academic activities of the College. While Ron Jordan will serve as the Interim Dean, Dr. Lausier will provide additional leadership and work closely with him. Both Ron and Joan have the full support of the President and me.
In order to provide a smooth transition, Ron Jordan will join us as Executive in Residence from September 4 until September 22, 2007. He will start his term as Interim Dean on Monday, September 24. Dean Letendre will continue as Dean until Friday, September 22, 2007 and will return to Rhode Island as needed in October. I appreciate Dean Letendre’s willingness to help us complete some of the projects underway.
I am asking you to join me in congratulating both Ron Jordan and Joan Lausier for their willingness to provide us with strong leadership during this period.
I will be announcing the composition of the Search Advisory Committee for the Dean’s position shortly. As you know, the AAUP and the Faculty Senate make two appointments each to that committee. I have requested names from those organizations and will proceed to create the committee as soon as I have the names of their representatives.
Thank you for your support.
cc:Robert L. Carothers, President
Ron Jordan
Joan Lausier
Clifford Katz
Human Resources