Announcement
May 13, 2002
Dear Colleagues:
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Ronald Larsen has accepted my offer to become the Dean of the School of Information Sciences effective July 1, 2002. Dr. Larsen earned his bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences at Purdue University, his master's degree in Applied Physics at The Catholic University of America, and his PhD in Computer Sciences at the University of Maryland at College Park. He is currently the Executive Director of the Maryland Applied Information Technology Initiative, where he directs the activities of a consortium of ten Maryland universities; serves as the Deputy Director of the Maryland Information and Network Dynamics (MIND) Lab, a component laboratory of the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS); and is an Affiliate Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland, College Park.
During his distinguished career, Dr. Larsen has provided regional and national leadership in information technology, distance education, and digital library initiatives. He has conceived, created, and implemented several major national research programs, including information management and digital library research programs at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense.
I have great confidence that Dr. Larsen will provide the dynamic academic, organizational, and research leadership needed to make our School of Information Sciences programs as strong as they can possibly become. Dr. Larsen shares my belief that we must strengthen the ability of the School of Information Sciences to build its research base, position the faculty to drive the development of the field, and educate PhD students who will form an important sector of the future national professoriate for the profession, along with educating bachelors and masters level students for productive careers in this rapidly developing field. Dr. Larsen possesses the necessary talent, energy, and integrity to build on the School's strengths and priorities.
I look forward to helping Dr. Larsen and his faculty define the future of the School of Information Sciences and assist the University in reaching its aspiration of having an even more outstanding School of Information Sciences.
Sincerely,