How many times have we read "an interim will be appointed" when learning of a change in leadership at the university. In our world, we have come to expect a certain gap in time between the departure of one administrator and the appointment of another. In the meantime, someone is asked to step in to fulfill the duties of the departed one while the search is underway. The "interims" answer the call, leaving behind other duties or (too often) doing two jobs.
We rarely thank them enough.
This year, we have been fortunate to have had good colleagues who served ably and unselfishly in interim roles across the university. I am especially grateful to Bobby Middlebrooks, interim provost; Alvin Williams, interim dean of the college of business; Wanda Maulding, interim dean of the college of education and psychology; Ed McCormack, interim university librarian; and Denise von Herrmann, interim dean of arts & letters. Mike Forster will assume the duties in the college of health at the end of this month. If you see any of these individuals on campus, please give them a pat on the back for their sacrifice
