::Provost David Kline Steps Up
::Ellis F. White and First Faculty Scholarship Endowment
::UNAM agreement expands international presence
::Chartwell's awarded new food service contract

August 2002

Kline is interim president as search process gets underway

Interim President A. David Kline and Board of Trustees Chair Carol Thompson

Provost A. David Kline now has a second title in front of his name that of interim president. Kline accepted the offer from the UNF Board of Trustees becoming interim president on Aug. 2 while the search process gets under way to replace Dr. Anne Hopkins.

The Board approved the transition steering committee's recommendation to select Kline with the understanding that he would not be a declared candidate for the presidency but would not be precluded from being considered for the post at a later time.

In making the recommendation on behalf of the steering committee, Carol Thompson praised Kline for his commitment to UNF and the high level of respect he enjoys in the University community.

"We are indeed fortunate to have someone of Dr. Kline's experience and qualifications to step into this position and continue the work started by Dr. Hopkins," she said. Echoing that sentiment was Hopkins who announced in June she was resigning for health reasons. She said she was confident that Kline would effectively lead the University through the transition period. "David is a man of enormous integrity who always has the best interests of UNF at heart," she said.

In accepting the appointment, Kline said he is looking forward to the challenges of being interim president. "UNF is a very fine university. I am delighted and eager to work with the Board, students, faculty and staff to continue the advancement of the University," he said.

Kline, who has been vice president of Academic Affairs and provost since coming to UNF in 1996, has more than 25 years of experience in higher education. Before coming to the number two post at UNF, he was the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York - New Paltz.

His professional career started in 1976 at Illinois State University where he was an assistant professor. He then moved to Iowa State University in 1977 where he rose to professor in 1988. While at Iowa State, he also was chairman of the Department of Philosophy and the Religious Studies Program. He moved to the New Paltz position in 1990.

Kline received his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University in 1967 followed by his master's degree in 1971 from Northern Illinois University and his doctoral degree in 1976 from the University of Wisconsin.

The Board of Trustees also approved the steering committee's recommendation that proposals from search firms be solicited. Up to three companies may be invited to UNF to make presentations. The search firm selected will then work to develop a timeline for the selection process and work with the Board of Trustees to establish a formal search committee and set qualifications.

Thompson acknowledged that the timeline could be affected by statewide issues that will be decided by the state's voters in November. One such issue is the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot that would establish a new statewide body to regulate universities similar to the old Board of Regents which was abolished.

Although individual boards of trustees would remain at each of the state universities, the manner in which authority would be shared with a new statewide body could be a factor in an individual's decision to apply for the presidency at UNF, Thompson said. The prospect of such significant statewide reorganization could influence the number of qualified candidates who would apply for the position, she noted.