March 11, 2004

McCormick dean search re-opens

The search for a successor to John Birge as dean of the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science has been re-opened, it was announced by Provost Lawrence B. Dumas.

The search committee formed in December to identify candidates proposed three persons for the position, each of whom met with Dumas, President Henry S. Bienen and several administrators.

One of those withdrew and the other two did not have the combination of background, perspective and administrative approach needed by McCormick, Dumas said.

Dumas said it is likely that an interim dean will be appointed to serve for a short term when Birge leaves the deanship in July.

Meanwhile Dumas has appointed a new search committee chaired by Wallace Hopp, Allen and Johnnie Breed University Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Studies.

Members of the McCormick dean search committee, recommended by a group of all of the senior, chaired McCormick professors, the eight department chairs and the Northwestern Engineering Student Council, are:

• Jan D. Achenbach (civil and environmental engineering and mechanical engineering)

• Kimberly A. Gray (civil and environmental engineering)

• Wallace J. Hopp (committee chair)

• Ariel Knowles (junior, materials science and engineering)

• Gina W. Myerson (director, marketing/external communication)

• Julio M. Ottino (chemical and biological engineering)

• Peter W. Voorhees (materials science and engineering)

• Joseph T. Walsh (biomedical engineering)

• William J. White (alumnus and trustee)

• Uriel J. Wilensky, (School of Education and Social Policy and computer science)