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Posted 11-22-99
After 12 years as Case Western Reserve University's provost, Richard Zdanis plans to retire July 31, 2000.
"Please join me in thanking Dick for his valuable service to this University and in wishing him a rewarding, enjoyable, and well-deserved retirement," President David Auston stated in announcing Zdanis' retirement plans to deans, vice presidents, and senior administrators.
"He has provided strong leadership for the academic programs of this University, and has been an important force in the progress that Case Western Reserve has made during this period," Auston added.
In announcing Zdanis' retirement, Auston recounted several of the provost's important accomplishments during his tenure.
"Perhaps the least-understood role in all of higher education, the position of Provost here has largely been shaped by Dick's dedicated and effective work," Auston stated.
"He was instrumental in forming the College of Arts and Sciences and the Case School of Engineering, replacing the earlier configuration in which faculty in the sciences were separated organizationally from those in the humanities and social sciences. He also helped form the University Undergraduate Faculty, which he chairs," the president added.
"Working with the deans and the Budget Office, he leads the process of developing financial plans for the schools and colleges and for academic support services. He has led efforts to strengthen activities ranging from registration, research administration, and technology transfer to the process for reviewing candidates for faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure. He has built strong relationships with the deans and with the leadership of the Faculty Senate. Over the past year he has also chaired the University's efforts to prepare for dealing with Y2K issues across the campus."
Auston will soon appoint an advisory committee to work with him in seeking a new provost. The president said he welcomes comments on the process, and suggestions of members of the search advisory committee. E-mail him at president with comments.
Zdanis joined CWRU in July 1988 from Johns Hopkins University, where he had been a faculty member since 1962 and vice provost since 1979.
His 25-year association with JHU also included two years as vice president for administrative services and four years as associate provost.
Zdanis also is a double alumnus of JHU, receiving the B.A. in 1957 and the Ph.D. in 1960. His academic and research background is in high-energy physics.
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