Since Dean of Faculty Brian Rosenberg’s departure last year, when he went on to become the president of Macalester, a new dean of the faculty has stepped forward. As of Aug. 1, 2003, Kathleen Murray has become the new dean of the faculty at Lawrence University.Murray explained that it was President Rik Warch’s job to decide who would take over the responsibility. During this transitional period for the college, she said, it seemed logical to appoint someone from within rather than to search outside of the Lawrence community.
Murray’s familiarity with the structure of the president’s staff-and her presence at Lawrence since 1986-made her an appropriate choice.
According to Murray, administrators at Lawrence serve at the discretion of the president. However, she went on to say that she is prepared to hold the office for two years, allowing our new president a year to appoint a new dean of the faculty.
Although there is no official dean of the conservatory, Murray is also a part of the conservatory office, where she spends two half-days a week performing administrative duties. She said that her responsibilities to the faculty and the conservatory do not conflict, but that it is “a lot to keep track of.”
Helping with the responsibilities in the dean of the faculty’s office is Gerald Seaman, associate dean of the faculty. On the other side of College Avenue, aiding Murray in the day-to-day work at the conservatory is Jeffrey Stannard, the associate dean of the conservatory.
Murray also said that Howard Niblock, professor of music, is also currently helping in the office of the conservatory.
According to Murray, the retirement of President Warch and the search for a new president to take his place is an “important time in history” and an exciting moment that she encourages all students at Lawrence to take part in.