Eastern Michigan University Interim President Craig Willis has announced that he has accepted Provost Paul Schollaert's resignation, effective Sept. 17.
Schollaert, who joined EMU as provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2001, will take an administrative leave (typical for faculty who have served as administrators) and return to the faculty in April 2005. Schollaert is a tenured professor in sociology.
In accepting Schollaert's resignation, Willis said, "Dr. Schollaert has been a
 |
PROVOST RESIGNS : Eastern Michigan
University Provost Paul Schollaert
announced his resignation, effective
Sept. 17. Donald Loppnow, senior
executive for strategic planning and
continuous improvement, will serve as
interim provost while a national search is
conducted.
|
valuable member of the University's administration and championed several important projects during his tenure as provost. Chief among these are a general education review, the launch of our new Ph.D. in the College of Technology and keeping academic quality in the forefront. I want to thank him for his invaluable service to the University."
Schollaert said the decision to resign and return to the faculty is something that he has contemplated for several months.
"I've been a faculty administrator for nearly 25 years and, although I've always tried to work in teaching a class each year, it's been difficult. I love the classroom and the excitement that helping students discover new knowledge brings. I want more of that in my life, not less."
Willis said that he is appointing Donald Loppnow, senior executive for strategic planning and continuous improvement (and former associate vice president for academic affairs), to serve as interim provost until a national search is conducted to fill the position after a new president is named.
"The University is fortunate to have a person with Dr. Loppnow's skills and experience available to fill this critical role. He has strong academic credentials and is respected throughout the University community," Willis said.
Loppnow, who recently served as acting president of the University for the period between former President Samuel Kirkpatrick's departure and Willis' arrival, will retain responsibility for strategic planning and continuous improvement during his interim provost appointment.
In a separate action, Willis also announced that Ken McKanders, general counsel for the University, and the Legal Affairs department would now report directly to him.
"It's imperative that legal counsel have direct access to the President," Willis said.
Legal Affairs, which includes the Affirmative Action office, previously reported to the vice president for business and finance. The change in reporting also is effective Sept. 17.
