SHANNON URTNOWSKI
News Editor
The Seaver Dean Search Committee released on Tuesday the names of two potential candidates to replace dean of Seaver College David Baird when he steps down at the end of the semester.
Provost Darryl Tippens, who serves as the chair of the search committee, announced that Associate Dean of Seaver College Rick Marrs and professor of Communication Gary Selby are on the committee’s “short list.”
Tippens said the short list, which includes the finalists in the search, will likely include one more candidate from outside the university. The list, however, is not limited to three candidates.
Only two names were revealed thus far because the others were “not ready to be released,” according to Tippens.
Hundreds of applications were considered by the search committee.
Marrs and Selby were made aware of their positions on the short list Tuesday morning.
Selby said he initially felt overwhelmed by the news.
“I’ve gone into this feeling like I operate on a sense of calling,” Selby said. “I like Pepperdine, and I want to serve Pepperdine and its mission. And, if this is the way that I can do that, then I’m excited.”
Marrs said he had a similar feeling upon learning of the news.
“I was quite excited, and humbled, since this is an incredibly challenging position,” Marrs said.
Tippens said he feels this is a very “exciting and interesting time” for the university, and he is confident with the two possible candidates for the Seaver dean position thus far.
“We think these candidates meet the criteria necessary,” Tippens said.
The dean reports to Tippens and serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the university.
The next step in the search includes announcing the final name or names on the short list, and then the committee will host a two-day period of “intensive interviews,” according to Selby.
Marrs has been with Pepperdine for 21 years, starting as a professor of religion in 1987. In 1996, he became chair of the Religion Division and, in 2001, he became the associate dean of Seaver College.
Selby has been a professor of communication at the university for three years. Prior to teaching at Pepperdine, he taught at George Washington University, where he had tenure. Selby had been with George Washington University for nine years.
He said he came to Pepperdine because he felt “called” to do so.
The Seaver Dean Search Committee has been conducting an international search to find a successor for Baird since mid-October.
Baird announced his plans to step down as dean at the start of the school year at the opening fall faculty conference.
Tippens said the committee plans to have made a final decision for Baird’s successor by the end of the semester.
Though Baird will continue to live in the campus faculty housing at Pepperdine, he said he plans to spend his retirement on sabbatical, writing and conducting research.
02-21-2008