Four finalists named in SIUC Chancellor Search
by Kathryn C. Jaehnig

CARBONDALE, Ill. -The search for a new chancellor for Southern Illinois University's Carbondale campus has narrowed to four candidates.

SIU President Ted Sanders announced Monday (Jan. 5) that the finalists are: Jo Ann E. Argersinger, 44, provost at the University of Maryland Baltimore County; Frederick J. Dobney, 54, executive vice president and provost at Michigan Technological University; Scott G. McNall, 56, provost and vice president for academic affairs at California State University-Chico; and Luis M. Proenza, vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at Purdue University.

Sanders said candidates will begin visiting campus later this month. Each candidate will spend three days talking with students, faculty and staff. The first day will be spent at the School of Medicine's facilities in Springfield, followed by two more days on the Carbondale campus.

Visit dates are: Argersinger, Jan. 20-22; Proenza, Jan. 26-28; Dobney, Feb. 2-4; McNall, Feb. 9-11. Individual itineraries have not yet been finalized but open forums have been scheduled and are available for view on-line.

SIU Carbondale chemistry and biochemistry professor Steve Scheiner heads the 12-member search committee, which begin soliciting applicants for the Carbondale campus' top slot last summer.

After the on-campus interviews, Sanders will determine his recommendation to the SIU Board of Trustees.

Here's a closer look at each finalist.

Argersinger, a historian, has served as provost at the University of Maryland Baltimore County since 1994, playing an active role in establishing alliances with federal research and defense agencies, private businesses involved in technology, and state government. Before being named provost, she served as UMBC's interim dean of arts and sciences (1993-94) and as associate vice president for academic affairs (1989-1992).

Argersinger also has taught at Dickinson College (1978-83) and George Washington University (1974-78).

Her professional memberships include the American Historical Association, Pew Higher Education Roundtable and the Social Science History Association.

Argersinger has published two books, and her articles have appeared in such publications as American Quarterly, The Journal of Historical Studies, Labor History and Maryland Historical Magazine.

Argersinger was born in Birmingham, Ala. She earned her bachelor's degree in history from UMBC in 1974 and master's and doctoral degrees in history from George Washington University in 1976 and 1980.

Dobney, also a historian, came to Michigan Technological University as executive vice president and provost in 1993. Before that, he was vice provost for extended university services at Washington State University (1987-93), dean of City College and continuing education and director of special programs at Loyola University (1981-86) and acting associate dean of the graduate school at Saint Louis University (1973-81).

His professional memberships include the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and the State of Michigan Academic Officers.

Dobney has published two books, and his articles have appeared in such publications as American Historical Review, American Political Science Review, The Historian, the Journal of American History, Journal of Economic History, Social Science Quarterly, and Technology and Culture.

Dobney, who was born in Phoenix, Ariz., earned his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1966 and his doctorate from Rice University in 1970.

McNall, a sociologist, joined Cal State's Chico campus as chief academic officer in 1994. There he developed and implemented the university's strategic plan, which included performance-based budgeting; created a Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; began reforming the general educational curriculum; and started a program to help faculty
use new technology to improve student learning.

Other administrative experience includes six years as dean of arts and sciences at the University of Toledo (1989-94), a year as chair of American studies at the University of Kansas (1988-89) and 10 years at Kansas as chair of sociology (1976-86). McNall also has taught at Arizona State University (1970-76), the University of Minnesota's Minneapolis campus (1965-70) and the University of Waikato in New Zealand where he had a Fulbright grant in 1983.

His professional memberships include the American Sociological Association, the American Studies Association and the Council of Arts and Sciences in Urban Universities.

McNall has written eight books and edited two. His articles have appeared in such publications as The American Sociologist, Comparative Social Research, Qualitative Sociology, Science and The Sociological Quarterly.

McNall, who was born in New Ulm, Minn., earned his bachelor's degree from Portland State University in 1962 and his doctorate from the University of Oregon in 1965.

Proenza, a neurobiologist, moved to Indiana to head Purdue's research and graduate programs in 1994. His responsibilities have included a university-wide economic development program, international programs, partnerships with industry and development of interdisciplinary institutes and centers.

Previously, he was acting vice president for academic affairs and research (1992-94) and vice chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Alaska (1987-92).

Other administrative experience includes two years (1984-86) as a presidential assistant at the University of Georgia, where he also taught and directed the Vision Research Laboratory (1971-1987).

In addition, Proenza served as vice chairman and commission of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (1992-96), president of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (1988-90) and deputy director of ARKTIKA, a joint Russian-American Scientific Center (1990-94).

His professional memberships include the Council of Graduate Schools, the Graduate Record Examination Board and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.

An expert in obtaining external funding, Proenza has received more than $46 million in federal awards. He also has published widely, co-editing two books and writing or co-writing several dozen articles. His work has appeared in such journals as Brain Research, Journal of General Physiology, Journal of Neurophysiology and Vision Research.

Proenza, a native of Mexico, earned his bachelor's in psychology from Emory University in 1965, his master's in psychology from The Ohio State University in 1966 and his doctorate in neurobiology from the University of Minnesota in 1971.

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