New leaders appointed for 2 colleges
New leaders appointed for 2 colleges
New deans have been selected to head two of the University’s seven colleges—Conrado (Bobby) M. Gempesaw for the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and Nancy M. Targett for the College of Marine Studies.
Gempesaw, currently vice provost for academic and international programs, begins his new position July 1. He will succeed Michael J. Ginzberg, Chaplin Tyler Professor of Business, who is returning to the faculty.
Targett, interim dean of the College of Marine Studies since January 2005, was named dean and director of the Sea Grant College Program effective Jan. 1, 2006. The former dean, Carolyn Thoroughgood, now serves as UD’s vice provost for research.
Both new deans were unanimously recommended by their respective search committees, reflecting widespread support within the colleges and throughout the University, according to Provost Dan Rich.
“The search committee confirmed that Dr. Gempesaw is highly regarded for his administrative experience and ability and for his skill and demonstrated success as an academic leader,” Rich said. “President David Roselle and I are confident that the Lerner College of Business and Economics will continue to flourish under Dr. Gempesaw’s leadership.”
Gempesaw joined the UD faculty in 1985 as an assistant professor and served as chairperson of the Department of Food and Resource Economics in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources from 1993-99. In 1995, he was given a joint appointment as professor in the Department of Economics.
“Dr. Targett is a nationally respected researcher with a long and distinguished record of service on our campus,” Rich said in announcing her appointment. “She has done an outstanding job as interim dean, and I know that she is ready and able to lead the college to high levels of accomplishment in the years ahead.”
A marine chemical ecologist, Targett has been a member of the UD faculty since 1984. She conducts research on how chemistry mediates interactions between marine organisms in habitats ranging from coral reefs to the Delaware Bay.
In another recent announcement, Havidán Rodríguez, professor of sociology and director of the University’s Disaster Research Center, was named vice provost for academic affairs, succeeding Gempesaw in that position. His appointment is effective Sept. 1.
Rodríguez came to UD as director of the internationally known Disaster Research Center in 2003.