From left to right: Barbara Kaiser, David Fienen, and John Clementson
There are three new faces in the Office of the Provost as the 2009-10 academic year begins. On June 1, David Fienen was named Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In late June, Fienen announced that John J. Clementson and Barbara Kaiser had been appointed to Interim Associate Provost roles.
“Our team has really enjoyed working together so far this summer,” Fienen said. “We are excited to lead the academic affairs division for the next several years and we are committed to upholding the College’s tradition of academic excellence.”
Fienen has been a member of the music faculty at Gustavus since 1973. A past dean of faculty and vice president for academic affairs at the College, Fienen also was associate dean of the College from 1993 to 1996 and director of general education from 2002 to 2007. He has served the College as chair of the Faculty Senate as well as chair or member of several standing committees of the faculty.
Fienen brings not only many years of outstanding academic and administrative leadership to his new responsibilities but also a distinguished background as an internationally renowned scholar and music artist. Throughout his 36-year career at Gustavus, he has been organist/cantor at Christ Chapel and a professor of organ and church music. Fienen replaces Mary E. Morton, who announced her resignation as provost in March, but remains at the College as professor of biochemistry.
Clementson, professor of education and chair of the department, will serve as Associate Provost and Dean of the Faculty. In this role, he will focus on academic departments and interdisciplinary programs, including hiring, department and program budgets and salaries, and pre-tenure reviews.
Clementson arrived at Gustavus in 2004 from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he was assistant dean for academic affairs and before that, chair of the education department.
Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Barbara Knight Kaiser will assume the position of associate provost and dean of academic programs. In this role she will provide leadership for such academic programs as General Education, Curriculum II, First Term Seminary, January Interim Experience, Academic Advising, and the Writing Program and Center, as well as for student academic issues and departmental external reviews.
Kaiser has been on the faculty of Gustavus since 1990. She has chaired the Curriculum Committee and served on both the Personnel Committee and the Faculty Senate. In addition, she has made valued contributions to numerous community-building initiatives.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510