Forums set for finalists for provost position

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Two finalists for the position of Purdue University provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity will make presentations in forums open to the campus community.

The finalists were announced Friday (Oct. 20) by search committee chair Kathleen Howell, associate dean of the College of Engineering and the Hsu Lo Distinguished Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

“After a thorough review of outstanding internal candidates, we offer two excellent choices to lead the academic mission of our outstanding university,” Howell said. “We thank all those who have taken part in the process thus far and encourage all who are able to attend the forums and provide feedback as we take this next important step in university leadership.”

The candidates and forum dates are:

Jay Akridge Download image

Jay T. Akridge. Tuesday, Oct. 24. 10:45-11:45 a.m. Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse

Akridge is the interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, with a faculty appointment as professor of agricultural economics. Akridge previously served for eight years as Purdue’s Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, where he had administrative responsibility for the academic, research, Extension, and international programs of the college. He also served as interim vice provost for engagement at Purdue in 2007-08. Prior to his role in administration, Akridge was the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics and served as director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business. He currently serves as chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities Policy Board of Directors and has served in various leadership roles with APLU, the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, and regional research committees. Akridge received his bachelor’s degree from Murray State University, and his master’s degree and doctorate in agricultural economics from Purdue.

Gary Bertoline Download image

Gary R Bertoline. Friday, Oct. 27. 10:45-11:45 a.m. Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse

Bertoline is dean of Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Distinguished Professor of Computer Graphics Technology and Computer and Information Technology. Bertoline previously served as head of Purdue’s Department of Computer Graphics Technology, associate vice president and director of the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing and the Envision Center for Perceptualization. He also served for five years as the associate dean for graduate programs in the College of Technology before becoming dean in 2011. Bertoline co-founded the Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute initiative, a major effort to transform the college curricula and learning experience for students to better prepare them for life and work in the digital age. Bertoline earned his bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University, his master’s from Miami University and his doctorate at The Ohio State University.

Additional information, including a link to the webcast and feedback survey, is available at www.purdue.edu/provost/provost-search/candidates.html.

Members of search committee members were:  

* Kathleen Howell (chair), associate dean for engineering and the Hsu Lo Distinguished Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. 

* Mike Atallah, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and professor of electrical and computer engineering (courtesy).

* R. Allen Bol, assistant, Libraries and CSSAC chair.

* Barrett Caldwell, professor of industrial engineering. 

* Natalia Dudareva, Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Distinguished Professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. 

* Kenneth Ferraro, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and director, Center on Aging and the Life Course.

* Marcela Martinez, chair of Purdue Graduate Student Government. 

* Loran Carleton Parker, associate director and senior researcher and evaluator, Evaluation and Learning Research Center and APSAC chair.  

*Willie Reed, dean, College of Veterinary Medicine.       

Source: Kathleen Howell, Howell@purdue.edu