Announcement from Dean Fluharty on the College Dean

During the spring semester of 2017, Dennis DeTurck will be on sabbatical leave from his roles as Stephen A. Levin Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Robert A. Fox Leadership Professor, and Professor of Mathematics. His leave from the College deanship will be a short break from a role in which Dennis has served with extraordinary devotion since 2005, as an energetic champion for undergraduate education in the liberal arts at Penn.

I am pleased to announce that Andrew Binns, Professor of Biology and former Vice Provost for Education, will serve as Interim Dean of the College during this period, effective January 1, 2017.  Andy served as Vice Provost from 2006 to 2015, with oversight for undergraduate and graduate education across Penn as well as central services supporting these missions; he was a steadfast supporter of the College and a close partner to Dennis throughout his tenure. A Penn faculty member since 1980, Andy is a distinguished scholar of plant biology and microbiology as well as an award-winning teacher and research mentor. He served as Chair of the Department of Biology from 1995 to 2004.

I am confident that with Andy’s interim leadership and the continued support of the outstanding College staff, the College will have a productive semester.