At the end of this academic year, University Provost Dorothy Brown will retire. In 1998, Brown assumed the position of Interim Provost until 1999 when she accepted a three-year term as Provost.
A search committee has been put together by University President John J. DeGioia, chaired by biology professor Joseph Neale. According to Neale, the committee is in the beginning stages of organizing the search.
Julie Green Bataille, Vice President for Communications, said the search committee will aim to choose a Provost by the end of the academic year. Green Bataille said candidates must demonstrate leadership ability, an understanding of the academic mission of the University and the unique qualities of Georgetown as a Catholic and Jesuit institution.
The Provost is the chief academic officer for the Main Campus with responsibility for all undergraduate and graduate programs not in the Medical or Law Centers. As the second person in line at Georgetown, the Provost acts for the president in the president’s absence.
Brown said she is most proud of the work she has done on the Middle States Self-Study and Reaccreditation Process. When Brown assumed the position of Provost, she agreed to stay on until the completion of this 10-year assessment and reaccreditation by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association.
“Professor Brown is the most extraordinary faculty member to emerge from this university for about 30 years,” Neale said. “As Provost, she has brought enormous personal strength, integrity, good judgement and collegiality to a critical position for the University during a most contentious time.”
According to Ellen Nelson Van Bever, Director of Special Programs in the Office of the Provost, Brown “understands the importance of the academic community but also what students’ commitments are outside of the classroom.”
Brown joined the Georgetown faculty in 1996 as a professor of history. Brown has served as Director of the American Studies Program, Chair of the Department of History, Coordinator of Academic Planning for the Main Campus and President and Vice President of the Faculty Senate.
The Search Committee consists of 14 faculty members, three students and a representative from A.T. Kearney search firm.
