Lindsay selected as new provost Graduate dean appointed by president by Lacey Hulsey The search for the new provost for the University of Dallas successfully ended with the appointment of Dr. Thomas Lindsay, currently dean of Braniff School. Dr. Lindsay will leave his current position as dean and assume his new role as provost in the fall, Monsignor Milam Joseph, president of the university, said. "I wanted to choose the person who would be the best selection for the common good of the university," Monsignor Joseph said. The decision was made by Monsignor Joseph after the provost search committee had presented a report on the qualities and recommendations of the three finalists. Dr. Charles Eaker, professor of chemistry and member of the search committee, said, "We tried to present the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate in our report. But ultimately, it was the president’s decision to make." Before making his final decision, Monsignor Joseph met personally with the top two candidates. "I was very conscious of the magnitude and importance of my decision and its long- term effects upon the university," Monsignor Joseph said. "I wanted to make sure that my decision would continue the leadership that the current provost Dr. Glen Thurow has done for the past eight years," he said. In making his selection, Monsignor Joseph not only examined those objective qualities, that were laid out by the search committee, but also he considered subjective qualities, such as personality and compatibility. "The subjective considerations were very important because as provost, this man will work collaboratively and cooperatively with the administration as the chief academic officer," Monsignor Joseph said.Aside from his ability to work well with others, Dr. Lindsay’s strong commitment to the liberal arts also set him apart from the other candidates, Dr. Eaker said. "His ability to articulate his great love for the liberal arts is so important," he said. In fact, Dr. Lindsay said he initially was attracted to UD two years ago primarily because of its liberal arts education. "I’ve known about UD’s strong commitment to quality liberal education, and I find that what separates UD from the bulk of other schools is its understanding of and devotion to the liberal arts properly understood." Liberal education is guided by the image of a perfected flourishing beautiful soul, Dr. Lindsay said. "The contours of such a soul are made accessible to us by the various contributions of the humanities and sciences," he said. "And it is around this image of human flourishing that our core curriculum is based." UD’s core curriculum is what sets it apart from other institutions. Only two percent of colleges and universities retain a coherent core curriculum, Dr. Lindsay said. "And that is the reason why I was attracted to UD originally and the reason for which I was interested in the provost position," he said. As provost, Dr. Lindsay would like to build upon the foundation already in place while also improving the quality of life for students and faculty. "I think the greatest strengths of this university are its core curriculum and its faculty, and the improvement in our financial situation that has been brought about by the President Milam Joseph and his senior staff," he said. "I would like to take the next step and build upon that foundation and obtain for our faculty the resources they need. I also hope to raise the faculty’s morale and to render our teachers the honor that they so richly merit. "Of the half-dozen universities with which I have been associated in my career, UD by far contains the greatest number of conscientious, committed, inspired and inspiring teachers," Lindsay said. "It is an honor for me to be given the opportunity to serve them." In order to obtain such resources for the faculty, UD must promote its liberal education and core curriculum, Dr. Lindsay said. "We need to get the message out about the uniqueness and nobility of the University of Dallas," he said. "I find that most people do not know about it." Dr. Lindsay cited his recent marketing campaign for Braniff Grad School, which was responsible for record increases in enrollment and morale among graduate students. "As provost, I would like to bring that same sort of approach to the university as a whole," he said. Dr. Lindsay’s combination of fresh new ideas and his familiarity with the university set him apart from the other two finalist for the position, Dr. Eaker said. "(Dr. Lindsay) should be a good provost," he said. "I think he will be very good for the university." Printed May 2, 2001 in The University News Write a Letter to the Editor - Email: © University of Dallas 05/02/2001. Email the page author (). University of Dallas, 1845 East Northgate Drive, Irving, TX 75062, (972) 721-5000, (972) 445-0110 metro
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