Undergraduate Opinion Key in Choosing New Dean of Weinberg
EVANSTON, Ill.—It was announced this week that Adrian Randolph would serve as the Dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences starting next year. When asked what factors influenced his decision, President Morton Schapiro responded, “Honestly, it was the undergrads. My colleagues told me that sending out emails this summer asking for input was a waste of our time and resources, but the undergrads’ absolute dedication to involving themselves was critical in making this decision.”
This summer, undergraduate students, including those who had not yet started their freshman year, received about 600 emails asking for their input regarding the person who would fill the vacant position as Dean of Weinberg. The students naturally jumped at the opportunity for their voices to be heard.
Weinberg senior Mary Welkins immediately launched a campaign to hire Adrian Randolph to fill the position, starting with “Team Adrian” posters.
Welkins said, “Randolph has been on my radar for quite some time now. I, like many students, have followed his work at Dartmouth very carefully and am thrilled to see that he will be joining the Wildcats in the fall!”
Not all students were so thrilled. Weinberg sophomore Bentley Newman had been rooting for Dr. John S. Hutchinson from Rice University.
Newman commented, “I have made every effort to make my voice heard. I understand that Adrian Randolph is a very respectable academic, but having thoroughly analyzed all of the options, I can’t dodge the feeling that the University is missing a huge opportunity.”
Adrian Robinson will officially become dean of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences on July 1st, 2015. Most students know this already because of their level of participation in decisions like these.
