Interim Dean of Faculty Appointed

Professor Frank Kirkpatrick has been named interim dean of faculty, effective July 1, 2004. Kirkpatrick, who also serves as dean of the First-Year Program and holds the designation of Ellsworth Morton Tracy Lecturer, will assume his new duties following the retirement of Dean W. Miller Brown.

“Miller and Frank will work on a smooth transition parallel to my work with incoming President Jimmy Jones,” says Interim President Borden Painter. “Frank’s 35 years on the faculty, his reputation as a scholar and a teacher, and his effective leadership in so many capacities give him the experience and knowledge to do the job of dean of faculty effectively and smoothly in this transitional period. I am grateful for his willingness to serve the College and the faculty in this way.”

In addition to his teaching and scholarship responsibilities, during his career at Trinity Kirkpatrick has held positions that include secretary of the faculty, chair of the religion department, and faculty ombudsman, as well as chairing and serving on several faculty committees. He was also director of IDP (Individualized Degree Program) and, more recently, was a member of the curricular review committee.

“I see one of my main responsibilities as helping the new president understand and appreciate our faculty,” explains Kirkpatrick. “What we value, what our convictions are, what we are concerned about, and even what things we are divided over. I think I represent some institutional memory of who we are and what we have been. As an interim with no interest in continuing the job, I can be free from the political factors that might influence the advice I give him if I were hoping to be appointed to the job permanently.”

 

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