Dean Search

Update: February 19, 2008

Trevor Ames, Howard Gelberg, and Robert Washabau named as final candidates
The College received this announcement from Frank B. Cerra, M.D., senior vice president for health sciences:

The College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Search Committee has forwarded its short list of candidates for consideration. I'd like to thank them for their diligent participation in the search process to date.  In alphabetical order, the three excellent candidates forwarded are:  Trevor Ames, Howard Gelberg, and Robert Washabau.

Now I am moving the process into its next phase; the selection of the final nomination for CVM dean. Each candidate will be asked to return for a two- day visit.  This visit will primarily focus on administrative issues, e.g. financial details, facilities, research administration, human resources, philanthropy, public affairs, and so on.  During this time, each candidate will also meet with the Faculty Council and the Dean's external Advisory Board members.

As we enter this last phase, it is important that I understand your perspectives of each of these candidates.  I invite your commentary via e-mail. My e-mail is secure and only seen by me.  My e-mail address is:  cerra001@umn.edu.

When this phase is completed, I will forward the final nominee to President Bruininks with a recommendation for appointment as the next CVM dean.  From the President's Office, the nomination will go to the Board of Regents for the official appointment.  I would like to complete this process for the May meeting of the Board of Regents.

Thank you all for your continued interest, support, and participation.

Update: February 15, 2008

On February 6, the search committee convened to discuss the strengths and concerns of the final dean candidates. This process was aided by faculty, staff, and student input (44 submitted final rankings, 2 provided in-depth letters), supporting letters from candidate's references, and results from committee interviews. The committee agreed to forward three candidates to Dr. Frank Cerra for further consideration.

On February 11, Dr. Cerra received the committee's top three choices. They were provided unranked, but with a synopsis of each candidate's strengths and challenges. Committe co-chairs Jody Lulich and John Finnegan were available to address questions posed by Dr. Cerra pertaining to the process. Dr. Frank Cerra will collect additional information to assist in the selection.

Update: January 31, 2008

Four candidates' presentations may now be viewed online via Breeze:

• Dr. Trevor Ames: https://umconnect.umn.edu/p45014549
• Dr. Douglas Freeman: https://umconnect.umn.edu/p39163313
• Dr. Howard Gelberg: https://umconnect.umn.edu/p81366382
• Dr. Robert Washabau: https://umconnect.umn.edu/p44442707

Update: January 22, 2008

Dr. Paul Lunn withdraws
The search committee has been informed that, due to recent changes in his family's circumstances, Dr. Paul Lunn has withdrawn his candidacy for further consideration for dean. Dr. Lunn expressed that he was positively impressed with the College and the University and envisioned the College as being well-positioned to advance our programs and expand our role in the veterinary and biomedical community in this country and worldwide.

Update: January 2, 2008

The candidates for dean of the College have been announced. During the month of January, the candidates will participate in formal interviews to become acquainted with the College and its students, staff, and faculty. They will also meet with related and invested constituents at the University, representatives of the veterinary/agricultural industry, organized veterinary medicine, and Dr. Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences. During the interview process, candidates will present a seminar focusing on the future challenges and opportunities for academic veterinary medicine.

The candidates and their seminar dates are:

• Trevor Ames, interim dean, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ames will be interviewing Jan. 29-31 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 30 at 3:15 p.m. in 125  Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.
  
• Douglas Freeman, head, Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences and Department of Veterinary Diagnostic Services, North Dakota State University. Dr. Freeman will be interviewing Jan. 13-15 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 14 at 3:15 p.m. in 125  Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.
  
• Howard Gelberg, professor of pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University; previous dean of College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State. Dr. Gelberg will be interviewing Jan. 15-17 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 16 at 3:15 p.m. in 125  Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.
  
• D. Paul Lunn, head, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University. Dr. Lunn will be interviewing Jan. 9-11 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 10 at 3:15 p.m. in 125  Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.
  
• Robert Washabau, chair, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Washabau will be interviewing Jan. 6-8 and presenting a seminar on Jan. 7 at 3:15 p.m. in 125  Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine.

Once all interviews have been completed and evaluations processed and reviewed, the committee will convene to select approximately three candidates to forward to Dr. Cerra. He will meet with the candidates a final time with the goal of selecting the next dean of the College.

Update: November 19, 2007

Timetable

• December 6-7: Initial interviews will be conducted via video conferencing.
• Weeks of January 7-14: College visits and interviews for the subsequent group of finalists will be conducted.
• Week of January 28: The top three candidates will be forwarded to Dr. Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences.

Search committee

Cochairs

• John Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D. dean, School of Public Health
• Jody P. Lulich, D.V.M., Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine

Committee members

• Alvin Beitz, Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine
• John Collister, Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine
• Peter Davies, Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine
• William L. Hartmann, D.V.M., executive director and state veterinarian, Minnesota Board of Animal Health
• Lisa Hubinger, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Maria Huh, College of Veterinary Medicine
• John Kersey, M.D., professor, Cancer Center
• Erin Malone, D.V.M., Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine
• Daryn McBeth, J.D., executive director, Minnesota Agri-Growth Council
• Elizabeth Pluhar, D.V.M., Ph.D., College of Veterinary Medicine
• Dan Tjornehoi, J.D., executive director, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
• Michael E. White, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science, College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences

The University has also enlisted the assistance of a search firm, The Hollander Group, and advertising has been placed nationally and internationally. For a PDF of the position description, go to   http://www.thehollandergroup.net/pos_desc_files/U MN CVM Dean (September 2007).pdf