STAFF EDITORIAL
A committee of seven has been organized to select a successor to Dean of Seaver College David Baird, who announced plans to retire at the beginning of the school year, but we figure a few extra voices cannot hurt.
Baird’s retirement is scheduled to take effect at the end of the semester. Thus, with the hope that we can help finalize the Seaver Dean Search Committee’s list of top three candidates to replace Baird, which is in the works, we have taken it upon ourselves to make a few suggestions. Currently, two names have been revealed — Dean Rick Marrs and Dr. Gary Selby, both of Pepperdine University.
Though the committee has only named two of the potential candidates on its radar, we are more than happy to share with you the names of some individuals we do not necessarily expect to see, but indeed hope to see, on the list.
This is an important process that should not be taken lightly, as the dean of Seaver College is entrusted with a number of important responsibilities at Pepperdine. The dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the university and reports to Provost Darryl Tippens, who serves as chair of the Seaver search committee. The dean also oversees enrollment, curriculum, strategic planning, budget, Student Affairs, International Programs and personnel at Pepperdine.
With such a broad base of responsibilities, it is difficult for some to understand the specific duties the dean carries out. However, upon reflecting on his 10 years as dean, Baird recently recalled a few of the most substantial changes he has seen at Pepperdine while serving as dean of Seaver College. For example, he pointed out the increasing importance of scholarship among faculty and students, the improved program design to help student receive post-graduate scholarships, the increased cultural sensitivity with regard to academic programs, the growing internship program in Washington, D.C. and the leaps that have been made within faculty research.
However, in the midst of noting the positive changes he has worked to accomplish over his past decade at Pepperdine, he also expressed that the new dean will have his or her own “rocks to turn over.” For example, Baird said he would like to see increased diversity among the faculty and staff at Pepperdine, a challenge which the university still faces.
In addition to this challenge, the new dean will be required to meet a number of expectations to drive Pepperdine and its mission. Though not under consideration by the Seaver Dean Search Committee (yet), here is our list of top three candidates for who we believe can best serve Pepperdine in this task:
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.: The current Democratic candidate vying for the party’s nomination in the 2008 Presidential election probably will not outlive Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in the race, so what better place to recover from the loss than Malibu? With her political experience and campaigning abilities, she will surely serve as an ideal authority figure for Seaver. She also appreciates the value of education, having received a number of honorary doctorates from universities around the nation, which is ideal for the next dean of Seaver College.
Weird Al Yankovic: The Church of Christ member will, of course, promote Pepperdine’s mission statement, which is an important quality in a dean. To further his coolness, which is also not a bad trait in a dean, Yankovic could probably write a pretty funny song about Pepperdine. Though it might not beat the shout out K-Fed gave the university in his song “America’s Most Hated,” we expect Yankovic could give him a run for his money.
John Stewart: Host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” Stewart is known for his loud mouth and vocal opinions. Who wouldn’t want a mover and shaker like Stewart in the dean’s office? In addition, his celebrity status should bring positive media attention to the university, hopefully boosting interest in Pepperdine and its mission. An increase in enrollment is sure to follow.
Though these three individuals may not, and are probably not, on the Seaver Dean Search Committee’s list of possible candidates for the position, we thought we should put in our 2 cents. For what it is worth, we just want to see Pepperdine and its strong values furthered, as they have been by Baird, by the next Dean of Seaver College — whoever that may be.
02-21-2008