The University of Rhode Island is most important to the success of the state of Rhode Island. The state now pays only 14% of what it costs to run this great state university, yet URI is the largest employer in the southern part of the state and one of the largest employers in the state.
Its research in all sorts of areas, especially biotechnology, education, etc. is the fuel that runs our economic engine. Needless to say the University is also important in moving our adolescents into the workforce with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in our techno society.
This week, the search for the second most important officer in the University, the Provost, continues. We have seen three candidates, and will see another. They are all outsiders. They all have their special characteristics that make them possibly attractive to fill this vitally important position, but the real choice we should be making is an internal candidate. Her name is Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Lynn Pasquerella. Lynn has held the positions of professor in philosophy, chair of her dept., Graduate School Dean, Dean of Research, and finally Vice Provost. She has Ph.D. from Brown, Phi Beta Kappa, research books and numerous articles, but most importantly that mix of being able to attract research $$$ (10M to date) and teaching experience (She has won the Teaching Excellence Award.) She's not on the top of the search list, but she should be. URI needs someone like Lynn and I hope President Carothers sees fit to bring her in and appoint her as the new Provost.
Those interested in good RI government should also be interested in their University and should let President Carothers, the Board of Governors, that they have a chance to move URI into the future with the best at the helm: Lynn Pasquerella for Provost at URI!
