Provost's Message

March 10, 2013

Dear Colleagues,

We are about to begin the process of identifying and recruiting a new dean for University Libraries. Over the last few weeks, I have consulted with faculty, staff, administrators, and community leaders to identify members of the university and the community who can provide us with the best guidance possible as we undertake this important search. Finding the right leader for our University Libraries is critical to the continued advancement of our research and teaching mission at the University of Southern Mississippi.

I am pleased to announce that we have established an outstanding search committee with broad experience and knowledge that will lead to a highly successful search for the dean of University Libraries. Dr. Steven Moser, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, has agreed to chair the search committee. Other members of the search committee include:

Danielle Bishop, Assistant Curator, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection in McCain Library and Archives

Jennifer Brannock, Associate Professor and Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana in University Libraries

Hugh Broome, second year doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Kenneth J. Curry is Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

Gwen Downey, Music Cataloging Specialist - Bibliographic Services in University Libraries

Linda Ginn, Associate Professor in University Libraries and Head of the General Collections Cataloging Unit in the Bibliographic Services

Lilian H. Hill, Associate Professor of Adult Education in the Department of Educational Studies and Research, and program coordinator for the doctoral programs in Adult Education and Higher Education and the master’s program in Student Affairs Administration

Kim LeDuff, Associate Professor and Acting Director of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism.  

Mary Lux, Professor and Chair in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Ed McCormack, Associate Dean/Professor, USM Libraries, Gulf Coast campus

David Sliman, Chief Information Officer and the Director for iTech

Virginia Lois Sumrall, Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing’s Department of Systems Leadership and Health Outcomes

Eric L. Tribunella, Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of English

Stella Wheat, Community Representative and retired librarian and library administrator

Tisha Zelner, Associate Professor in University Libraries and Head of the Reference Services Department at Cook Library

The committee will conduct all aspects of the search including advertisement of the position, review of applicants, initial interviews, campus interviews, and recommendation of preferred candidates to the Provost. After identifying a strong pool of candidates, the committee will conduct interviews near the conclusion of the Spring 2013 semester in a collaborative process with our campus community. Appointment of the new dean will be effective July 1, 2013.

I wish to extend my thanks to those members of University Libraries and the university and community who have agreed to serve on this search committee and to those who have provided counsel in preparing for this important search.

Denis Wiesenburg