Changes abound at administrative level

If you blinked, you might have missed some changes at the upper tiers of the University of Montana’s academic departments.
In all, four deanships either have or will have changed hands.

Perry Brown, former dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation, is now the associate provost for graduate studies, a new position. Brown served as the dean of Forestry for 14 years, and UM Provost Royce Engstrom touted Brown’s personal connections throughout the campus community.
“He has the working relationships across campus and across the state,” Engstrom said.
Brown replaces David Strobel, who was dean of Graduate Studies. The new title of associate provost reflects the increased importance of graduate work at UM, Engstrom said. Brown’s is a two-year appointment. James Burchfield, former associate dean at the College of Forestry, will be acting dean for that time.
Also leaving UM will be Gerald Fetz, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He will finish out the semester as dean, and on Jan. 1, 2009, Christopher Comer will take over. Comer previously served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Engstrom praised Comer’s experience, adding that Comer received positive feedback from the campus community.
“It just seemed to be a perfect match,” he said.
At the School of Fine Arts, Dean Shirley Howell retired this summer, and Stephen Kalm, former chair of the music department, has taken over as interim dean.
Engstrom said there will be a search committee to find a permanent dean at Fine Arts.
Dean Ed Eck of the School of Law last week announced his plans to retire as dean at the end of this academic year, though he said he still plans to teach. Eck said he’s been appointed to the IRS oversight board and is looking forward to devoting more time to that and to his role as part of the Uniform Law Commission.
“I’ve got plenty to keep me going,” Eck said.
UM is in the process of forming a search committee to find a replacement, Engstrom said.