Erickson appointed new provost

By DARYL LANG
Collegian Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN -- Rodney Erickson will become Penn State's new executive vice president and provost, the university's second-in-command, in July.

Penn State President Graham Spanier nominated Erickson for the position and the Board of Trustees voted to approve him at a meeting yesterday.

Erickson, who made his first visit to Penn State 22 years ago this week, is currently the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school.

"We want to continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning," Erickson said when describing his goals for the new position.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge." he said.

Erickson joined the faculty in 1977 as an assistant professor of geography and became a professor of geography and business administration in 1984.

He has been the dean of the Graduate School since 1995 and also the vice president for research since 1997.

Recently, Erickson played a key role in supporting the elimination of the state's Federal Insurance Contribution Act taxes for employed students, Spanier said, which will save students and the university millions of dollars.

Although he acknowledges serving as the No. 2 administrative officer will consume a lot of his time, Erickson plans to continue taking swing dance lessons with his wife as they prepare for their son's wedding in June.

"You've got to make some time for a bit of relaxation and family," he said.

In the role of executive vice president, Erickson will be responsible for academic affairs, enrollment, undergraduate and graduate education, educational equity, libraries, international programs and computer systems.

As provost, he will oversee the deans of Penn State's academic colleges.

John Brighton, the outgoing executive vice president and provost, will take the title of university professor in July and will lead a university-wide consortium on teaching and learning.

Eva Pell, a professor of agricultural science, will replace Erickson as the interim vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School.