Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News

David A. Burdette, the new vice president of finance and administrative services, has high hopes for his work at CMU. "This is a great campus, and I want to help it get even greater," Burdette said. He started Jan. 7. [Click to enlarge]

Provost and Executive Vice President Julia Wallace received flowers from friends from her hometown in Iowa to see her off as she begins her new position at CMU. Wallace, no stranger to the university atmosphere, hopes to help students get the education they deserve. [Click to enlarge]

Starting in an administrative position at one of Michigan's largest universities can be a challenging task.

But some new administrators are handling the stress and getting settled into their tenure at CMU.

"This is a much more extensive position," said Julia Wallace, executive vice president and provost. "I like the challenge."

Wallace came to CMU after serving for eight years as dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northern Iowa University. She replaced Interim Provost Gary Shapiro, who returns to the dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at CMU. Wallace worked at Northern Iowa for more than 28 years.

Wallace said she realized she would have to extend her vocabulary as her tenure with CMU begins. Terms such as "The SAC," which represents the Student Activity Center, is one of the words she has picked up.

"It's like I have to learn a whole new language," she said.

Wallace began her tenure at CMU with another newcomer, David Burdette. The new vice president for financial and administrative services began work last Monday, and has enjoyed the new environment.

"I'm very impressed," he said. "It's been a fast week - one of the fastest."

Burdette served at Indiana University-Pennsylvania as the vice president for administration and finance since 2006. Earlier he served at Radford University as vice president for business and governmental affairs.

Tuesday's blackout showed Burdette what CMU students and faculty can do in emergency situations. He admired the response.

"I was very pleased with how people responded," he said.

Although Wallace has not yet had a lot of opportunity to work with many students, she is excited to get involved with them.

"I'm hoping to have more interaction with students," she said. "The things I'm dealing with, I'm feeling away from the student groups."

Her office staff is trying to support that communication.

"We're just trying to introduce her to the community," said Susan Nichols, executive secretary to the provost.

Wallace is looking forward to making CMU a better place. One area she is looking to improve is the availability of programs to students.

"I want to make sure we offer students the best in academic programs," she said.

An awareness of international education also was one of the goals laid out by Wallace.

"I want to increase global activities and studying abroad," she said. "I want CMU to have links to the entire world, not just Michigan."

Burdette's main responsibility is to prepare for the Board of Trustees meeting in February. He is to oversee how the university spends money in the many departments it sponsors.

"I love what finance administration does," he said. "If we're doing our job right, no one notices."

Burdette said one of his goals is to help University President Michael Rao achieve his financial goals in upcoming years.

Students also have the opportunity to share their concerns with the department, Burdette said.

"We're here to help the students," he said. "If we're not, we'd like to know from them."


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