CMU hosts forums for dean finalists

By: Kelly Morse
Edited by: Amanda Crabtree, Meredith Mayberry and Sarah Schuch
The three finalists running for the new dean position in The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions will be holding open forums on campus this week.
“We had an extremely strong pool of applicants for this position,” said Sue Ann Martin, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts and chair of the search committee. “[We are] looking for a leader who can build on the fine reputation of the college and shape a vision for the future.”
The new dean would be responsible for continuing the reputation of Marvis Lary, the former Health Professions dean. She left the position last summer. Currently, Tom Masterson, chairman of the school of Health Sciences, is serving as interim dean.
In the final steps of searching for the next dean the three finalists, Joyce L. MacKinnon, David M. White and Daniel Bernadot, traveled to Mount Pleasant to participate in interviews and forums to help determine the best candidate.
Two of the three forums were completed earlier this week. On Monday, MacKinnon spoke, followed by White on Wednesday.
“Dr. White is a highly qualified applicant who seemed to respond well to his audience,” said Heather Hannons, a freshman from Lexington.
Featured Thursday is Bernadot. He will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in room 2255 of the Health Professions Building.
“I hope we get a couple hundred people to come to the forums,” said Martin.
Attendance, however, was moderate among faculty and very low from students for the first two forums.
“The turnout was what I expected. Many professors had classes to teach and students had classes to attend,” said Hannons. “It’s really too bad that more students couldn’t come.”
The applicants began by giving a brief overview of their lives and qualifications. After the introduction, audience members were allowed to ask questions of the candidates.
The new dean will be announced in a couple of weeks.