Press Release - Dan Jones Named TU Interim President - Search for New President to Begin
May 3, 2002
Dan Jones Named Interim President at Towson University
Search for New
President to Begin
Dan L. Jones, acting president at Towson University, has been named interim
president of the university, the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of
Regents announced today. Jones, who until his April 5 appointment as acting
president had served as Towson's provost and vice president of learning, will
serve as interim president until a new president is named. The appointment is
effective May 3, 2002.
Speaking of the appointment, Board of Regents Chairman Nathan A. Chapman, Jr.
said, "Dan Jones has come forward as a trusted, valued leader who has the
confidence of the Towson community. During their recent meetings on the campus,
the Regents heard very clear messages - Dan Jones is an excellent choice for
interim president; Towson University is strong and moving forward; the search
for a new president should not be delayed; and the campus must be very involved
in the search. The full Board of Regents heartily agrees."
Interim USM Chancellor Joseph Vivona added that he is delighted that Jones has
agreed to continue serving as Towson's interim leader.
"We have asked a lot of Dan this past month, and he has responded with great
enthusiasm and optimism for his campus," Vivona said. "We are
fortunate that he was there, ready to lead, which will ease the transition to a
new president."
"I am honored by the Regents' confidence in me," said Jones. "I
am most enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve the university I love as
interim president."
Vivona said he anticipates naming a search and screening committee for the new
president by the end of this month after consulting with campus leaders. The
full board, which makes the final decision to appoint a president, expects the
search committee to send forward three to five final candidates by this coming
Thanksgiving. Vivona said the board would like to have a president in place by
January 1, 2003 or soon thereafter.
"The campus must be intimately involved in the selection process, and the
process itself should move as quickly as possible," said Vivona.
Jones, who earned his bachelor's degree and doctorate from the University of
Utah, began his career at Towson University in 1966 as an assistant professor of
English. During his 37-year tenure at Towson he has served as chair of the
English department, dean of the college of liberal arts, interim provost, and
provost.
Jones, 64, and his wife Daisy live in Mt. Washington in Baltimore and have two
sons and two grandsons.
Towson University is the second largest university in Maryland and a member of
the University System of Maryland. It enrolls more than 16,000 students,
including international students from nearly 100 countries. Towson's 328-acre
campus is located in the suburban community of Towson, Maryland, eight miles
north of downtown Baltimore. Established in 1866, Towson is nationally
recognized for its excellent programs in the arts, sciences, business,
communications, humanities, health professions, education, and computer
information systems.
Contact:
Chris Hart
Phone: 301/445-2739
E-mail: chart@usmd.edu
Carol Dunsworth
Phone: 410/704-4672
E-mail: cdunsworth@towson.edu
