Dear Colleagues,

Last week, I had the privilege of presenting some of our highly accomplished faculty to our Board of Trustees and I enthusiastically recommended them for tenure and/or promotion. Although the trustees only get a brief glimpse of what our faculty bring to Miami, I heard from many of them how impressed and grateful they are to have each of you here. I also reminded the trustees of the long journey each of us takes to go from doctorate to tenured associate or full professor. The teacher-scholars we celebrated last week are elite indeed, and we are fortunate to have such dedicated and excellent faculty colleagues making Miami special.

I do want to clarify something that was unfortunately mis-characterized in some outlets and discussions. Each year, the Board reviews its own regulations and procedures, and recommends clarifications and modifications. This year, the Board proposed clarification of language concerning oversight of faculty employment policies. These edits merely codify existing governance practices and policies. There was no intention to change any practices, policies or procedures. The language regarding the retention of authority for faculty employment policies is there because the Board approves any changes to the promotion and tenure policies and is the body that grants tenure and promotion to faculty. In addition, faculty grievances and disciplinary actions are appealable to the Board. The language also reflects an effort to be consistent with other delegations of Board authority already in the Regulations.

In my opinion, Miami has one of the best Boards I have seen in higher education. They are collaborative and care deeply about what is best for Miami, and I have seen no desire for micro-management or intrusion into managerial decisions by leaders. Shared governance at Miami remains alive and well, thanks to engaged faculty, staff, and students.

Now, here is the week’s Three:

Promotion and Tenure – I am pleased to announce the faculty members who received promotion and/or tenure, effective July 1, 2020. As we all understand, this is a significant accomplishment in each professor’s academic careers and an acknowledgement of her and his dedication to teaching, creativity, research, scholarship and service. Please join me in congratulating these outstanding colleagues. 

Promotion to Professor

Marianne Cotugno, English & Languages, Literatures, and Writing
Dana Cox, Mathematics
Marcia England, Geography
Jonathan Grenier, Accountancy
Ben Jacks, Architecture and Interior Design
Cynthia Klestinec, English
Theresa Kulbaga, English & Languages, Literatures, and Writing
Katherine Kuvalanka, Family Science and Social Work
Stephen Lippmann, Sociology and Gerontology
Rachael Morgan-Kiss, Microbiology
Tory Pearman, English & Languages, Literatures, and Writing
Monica Schneider, Political Science

Promotion to Associate Professor and Tenure

Stephanie Baer, Art
James Bielo, Anthropology
William Brink, Accountancy
Michelle Buchberger, Interdisciplinary and Communication Studies
Michael Conger, Management
Stephanie Danker, Art
Gregory Fisher, Marketing
Nathan French, Religion
Haim Kassa Gebeyehu, Finance
Tracey Hoffman, Education and Society
Daniela Inclezan, Computer Science and Software Engineering
Mahmud Khan, Physics
Mary Kovach, Commerce
Tim Lockridge, English
Joshua Magee, Psychology
Sara McLaughlin, Sociology and Gerontology
Fadel Megahed, Information Systems and Analytics
Beth Miller, Kinesiology and Health
William Moser, Accountancy
Greg Niemesh, Economics
Karthik Vishwanath, Physics
Maria Weese, Information Systems and Analytics
David Woods, Computer and Information Technology

Miami’s Freedom Summer of ’64 Award – President Crawford will present this year’s Freedom Summer ’64 Award to 1974 Western College alumnae, Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins. The event, open to the Miami community, will be held on Thursday, March 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Kumler Chapel. It will begin with a lecture by Ms. Jefferson-Jenkins titled “Your Turn Will Come: The Continuing Journey to Full Voting Rights,” and followed by the award presentation. You can learn more about the award and Ms. Jefferson-Jenkins here.

Reminders:

• The transdisciplinary “Music and Physics” concert will be held on Wednesday, March 4 (7:30 pm) in Hall Auditorium. The program features Miami’s Symphony Orchestra performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, narrated by Dr. Renate Crawford, Professor of Physics. You can purchase tickets through the Miami Box Office.
• Make it Miami March events are scheduled on Friday 3/6 and Friday 3/13. To help recruit the fall 2020 first-year class you can join others in welcoming accepted students and their families during the 8:00-9:00 a.m. open session at the Armstrong Student Center or contact Admission staff at 513-529-2531 or admission@miamiohedu to join accepted students from your division at a lunch in the dining halls.
• Faculty Assembly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 (4:15 p.m.) in 104 Shriver – Admissions Auditorium.
• The annual University Awards Reception is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 (4:30-6:00 pm) in the Armstrong Student Center, Pavilion C.

Thank you for another productive week and month.

Love and Honor,

Jason