FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 5, 2003
CONTACT: Dan Roland (800) 552-4770
BY: Dan Roland

Dr. Robert Grover accepts position of Associate Vice-President of Academic Affairs - EMPORIA, KS

Emporia State University recently announced that Dr. Robert Grover has been appointed to the position of Associate Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The promotion is effective June 1, 2003 at which time Dr. Grover will step down as the Dean of the School of Library and Information Management.

Dr. Grover assumed the position of Interim Dean of Graduate Studies & Research at Emporia State University on June 1, 2002 in addition to his regular duties as Dean of the School of Library & Information Management. That move was made necessary by the resignation late in the year of the previous Dean of Graduate Studies & Research and a budget crisis in Kansas generally and on the ESU campus. During the past ten months Dr. Grover has been spending mornings at SLIM and afternoons in the Graduate Office in Plumb Hall.

The months-long search for an Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research concluded with no candidate hired. At which point Dr. Grover was encouraged to apply and his appointment to the position has been announced effective June 1, 2003. As Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, he will continue the duties he has been performing as Interim Dean of the Graduate School. In addition, his duties as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs include overseeing assessment, international education, the Student Advisory Center, the Registrar's Office, the honors program and summer school.

"This was a tough decision to apply for the job because I so much enjoy my work at SLIM with the students, faculty, and staff," Dr. Grover said concerning the impending change. "It is also important for SLIM to continue to be dynamic and in step with the changing needs for library and information education. I have been dean for five years and it is time for a new look, new leadership, and a new perspective. I have confidence that the school will continue to innovate and to continue making a significant impact in the library and information profession in Kansas and in the western states that we serve. I look forward to continuing my association with SLIM from Plumb Hall as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research."

Dr. Grover first came to SLIM as Dean in 1981 and guided the school through some of its most difficult days as accreditation by the American Library Association was withdrawn shortly after his arrival. A thorough and intense reworking of the curriculum, recruitment of additional faculty, and a commitment to collaboration with the library and information management profession led to re-accreditation in just two years. Dr. Grover spent three years at the University of South Florida before returning to SLIM in 1990 and accepted the Dean's position a second time in 1998. Highly regarded in the field of library and information management education, Dr. Grover was awarded the 1997 Teaching Excellence Award by the Association of Library and Information Science Education.

A search committee has been formed and is chaired by Dr. Joyce Davis, Dean of Libraries at Emporia State University. The committee is currently accepting applications for the position and actively recruiting candidates for the position.

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