2008 Woodie Awards
Davison named new dean
By: Mike Wayland
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: News
Replacing Robert Kohrman as CMU's Dean of the College of Science and Technology may not be easy.
But Ian Davison is looking forward to the challenge.
The independent researcher and adjunct curator for the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia was chosen out of four main candidates to replace Kohrman, who retired in December.
Davison, who will start on June 1, said he is looking forward to beginning at CMU and helping the university in any way he can.
"Taking over a new job like this is always a very exciting opportunity," Davison said. "(The dean) is really the leader and public representative for the college."
Davison visited CMU on March 17 for an open forum to meet faculty and answer questions. He also talked with University President Michael Rao and said he was impressed with CMU's undergraduate programs.
Davison believes CMU will be a good fit for him.
"The more I found out, the more impressed I became," he said. "I'm delighted I got picked for the job."
Thomas Moore, library dean and head of the CMU search committee, said the committee was pleased with Davison's qualifications and that he should make an excellent academic leader and a great addition to CMU.
"We were just very pleased to have such a fine candidate in the pool (for the position)," Moore said.
During the forum, Davison said CMU should not emulate other universities, but be better than them.
"It's important to look at the other publicly funded institutions in Michigan and identify areas that this university can move into that will allow us to be successful," Davison said. "The goal is not to become Michigan State - the goal is to become a better university than Michigan State."
Davison was a marine science, botany and biology professor for 16 years at the University of Maine.
He said as dean, he will be willing to seek funding opportunities.
"If (the position) is done correctly, no one should know the dean exists," Davison said.
Moore said the committee met, discussed and evaluated each candidate and they believed Davison to be the best fit for the position.
The other three reported candidates for the position were Babajide Familoni, dean of the College of Science and Technology at Savannah State; David Shen, former associate dean of engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University; and William J. Brittain, vice president of polymer and surface sciences at Bausch and Lomb.
Davison said it might take some adjusting when beginning the position, but said he will be open-minded, ask questions, listen to people and learn about Michigan and CMU during his stay.
news@cm-life.com
But Ian Davison is looking forward to the challenge.
The independent researcher and adjunct curator for the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia was chosen out of four main candidates to replace Kohrman, who retired in December.
Davison, who will start on June 1, said he is looking forward to beginning at CMU and helping the university in any way he can.
"Taking over a new job like this is always a very exciting opportunity," Davison said. "(The dean) is really the leader and public representative for the college."
Davison visited CMU on March 17 for an open forum to meet faculty and answer questions. He also talked with University President Michael Rao and said he was impressed with CMU's undergraduate programs.
Davison believes CMU will be a good fit for him.
"The more I found out, the more impressed I became," he said. "I'm delighted I got picked for the job."
Thomas Moore, library dean and head of the CMU search committee, said the committee was pleased with Davison's qualifications and that he should make an excellent academic leader and a great addition to CMU.
"We were just very pleased to have such a fine candidate in the pool (for the position)," Moore said.
During the forum, Davison said CMU should not emulate other universities, but be better than them.
"It's important to look at the other publicly funded institutions in Michigan and identify areas that this university can move into that will allow us to be successful," Davison said. "The goal is not to become Michigan State - the goal is to become a better university than Michigan State."
Davison was a marine science, botany and biology professor for 16 years at the University of Maine.
He said as dean, he will be willing to seek funding opportunities.
"If (the position) is done correctly, no one should know the dean exists," Davison said.
Moore said the committee met, discussed and evaluated each candidate and they believed Davison to be the best fit for the position.
The other three reported candidates for the position were Babajide Familoni, dean of the College of Science and Technology at Savannah State; David Shen, former associate dean of engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University; and William J. Brittain, vice president of polymer and surface sciences at Bausch and Lomb.
Davison said it might take some adjusting when beginning the position, but said he will be open-minded, ask questions, listen to people and learn about Michigan and CMU during his stay.
news@cm-life.com
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