CES reformer leaves University

A restructured Commonwealth Educational System will be in place July 1, but the man who led the drive for the redesign plan may only be able to reap its benefits for a little more than five months.

"It's been a great job -- the best job in the country, as far as I'm concerned," he said.

Dunham, who received his doctorate degree from Ohio State University, began his career at Penn State in 1959, as a speech instructor.

The decision to retire was made Monday, after a meeting with University President Graham Spanier, Dunham said.

An ideal situation for transition, Dunham said, would be to find a new dean who would begin working around July 1. Then, the new dean would be able to work with the redesign plan from the beginning of its implementation, Dunham said.

However, Dunham said he would not be involved in choosing his successor. John Brighton, executive vice president and provost for the University, will be heading the search for the new dean, he said.

Tim Daniels, president of the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, voiced his surprise at yesterday's announcement.

"I never thought that I would hear this while I was at Penn State," he said.

Although students sometimes viewed Dunham as being "out of touch" with them, Daniels said, he thinks CCSG and the retiring administrator have made many strides with causes such as the CES restructuring this year.

"He was a really tough cookie to crack," he said. "I've learned a lot from him."

Dunham said he has no specific plans for his retirement, but said it would be good to be able to do such things as plan his own schedule, travel and play golf.

But he does have one definite plan -- to stay in the central Pennsylvania area.

"It's a great place -- except in the wintertime," he said, adding that he may leave the area for a few months during the winter.