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University welcomes new provost

Transferring from a 10-year-position as dean of the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University, Richard McDowell began as the new provost and vice president for academic affairs on March 1. He was selected from more than 60 applicants. / photo by Liz Lucsko
Transferring from a 10-year-position as dean of the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University, Richard McDowell began as the new provost and vice president for academic affairs on March 1. He was selected from more than 60 applicants. / photo by Liz Lucsko

by Crystal Apilado
Staff Writer

Richard McDowell stepped into new shoes as provost, vice president of academic affairs and professor of political science on Thursday, March 1 at the University of La Verne.

McDowell was chosen from a group ranging in numbers from 60-70 applicants to replace the former provost Bill Cook, who resigned last June.

His strong background and experience in leadership was appealing to the committee that was interviewing him for the position.

“He had a lot of senior-level experience,” said President Stephen Morgan.

McDowell was the dean of Argyros School of Business and Economics and a professor of business at Chapman University. He has helped establish many programs and centers like the Walter Schmid Center for International Business at the Argyros School. McDowell is also very active in community groups dealing with issues from public health to economic development.

According to Phil Hawkey, executive vice president, McDowell’s background will help him lead academic programs to higher levels at ULV. McDowell said he sees his coming to ULV as an opportunity to help the faculty out in their need for more resources in ideas and programming.

“I’m helping support the organization of those programs,” said McDowell.

As provost, McDowell will be working with and supporting faculty and staff involved in the academic programs. He also encourages students to come and give suggestions and feed back to him about academic-involved programs at ULV.

“There are many strong points about La Verne, ULV and we want to try and enhance them,” said McDowell.

Some of the issues that McDowell will be tackling at ULV are to help improve academic standing and facilities, such as financial aid, and to be a spokesperson for both graduate and undergraduate facilities. He will be working to help identify which areas are most important and to help revise the academic vision of those areas.

“I hope he will be able to build strong lines of communication between faculty, students and administration and that he will be an effective spokesperson for the academic program,” said Morgan.

At a campus that is spread thin in faculty and resources and at a time and opportunity to expand, McDowell is deeply committed and willing to work in order to make things happen around ULV.

“I’m eager to work with him. He’s a good team player and will be a valuable addition,” said Hawkey.

Crystal Apilado, Features Editor
Crystal Apilado
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University of La Verne graduate Liz Lucsko, recently earned a Masters in photography from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York. Lucsko currently teaches Elementary Photography as a part-time faculty member. Her photography exhibit, “Banning – Stagecoach Town USA,” is on display in the Irene Carlson Gallery of Photography, and closes today. Lucsko’s interest in portrait photography has helped her personalize the photographic act for her students. / photo by Nancy Dyleuth
Liz Lucsko
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