2008 Woodie Awards
Familoni one of four candidates for dean
By: Mike Wayland
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
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When asked by Biology professor James Gillingham about the idea, Familoni, the dean of the College of Science and Technology at Savannah State running for the same position at CMU, said it would be a win for the college.
"To the extent that the university can raise the resources to do this, this is a serious win for CST," he said. "I already want to see people in different areas working with different biologics."
Familoni is one of four finalists to replace Robert Kohrman, who retired as CMU's College of Science and Technology dean in December after serving for 10 years. Familoni was the first candidate to visit CMU for an open forum to answer questions and meet faculty.
"I think this (position) is more of the same in a more impressive way - my current position is very similar to the dean position," Familoni said.
Approximately 35 faculty members attended the forum Tuesday and asked questions ranging from research grants to why Familoni wants to come to CMU.
Familoni said he sees CMU in a transition period and sees many things happening here that he can sink his teeth into.
"Transition is a very good time to join an organization because the intensity is up," Familoni said.
The majority of the forum was about Familoni's plans for the department in the future, how to keep a fair balance of research and teaching in the department and CMU's growth.
Familoni received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Lagos in Nigeria.
"(The forum) was a vigorous exchange - it was very helpful for people to express their interests," said Thomas Moore, library dean and head of the search committee. "The candidate tried to address the interests of the faculty."
The other candidates for the position will have their forums in the next week.
The forums are scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Brooks Hall 201. They will continue Thursday with David Shen, former associate dean of engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University; Monday with Ian Davison, an independent researcher and an adjunct curator for the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pa.; and March 19 with William J. Brittain, vice president of polymer and surface sciences at Bausch and Lomb.
Evaluation forms are given out at the beginning of the forum for each forum member to evaluate the candidate and make comments.
Moore said the committee hope to find a new dean as soon as possible after all the forums are done.
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