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Zack Quaintance

After a failed national search for a new associate provost of academic affairs, the University made it clear Tuesday that the right man for the job was here all along.

Provost John Dunn announced that Thomas Calhoun, professor and chairman in the sociology department, would replace Robert Jensen. Jensen was in the position on an interim basis, and is retiring Aug. 1.

Calhoun's primary responsibilities will be assisting the provost in overseeing and managing academic and curricular programs. He also has a couple of ways he would like to improve the University.

"One of the things I'd like to see us do is promote summer school more than we have in the past," Calhoun said.

He would like to initiate an aggressive marketing campaign to let Southern Illinois know that the University does not close for summer. Calhoun also wants to make class availability schedules easier for students to understand and access, he said.

Calhoun has been involved with higher education for more than 25 years, and recently co-chaired the University's agility and efficiency task force, which reported on ways to improve life at SIUC. Dunn said he was pleased with the appointment.

"He has impressive credentials and I am delighted that he is willing to direct his energy and talent to issues and programs central to the academic mission of the University," Dunn said.

The administration's gain is sociology's loss, said Robert Benford, a professor in the department who has worked with Calhoun since 2001.

"The problem we have is we're not just losing our chair, we're losing a senior faculty member," Benford said. "Dr. Calhoun is an outstanding leader who will be able to carry on the numerous tasks of the associate provost role."

Judy Brown, secretary of the sociology department's graduate program, occupies an office about 8 feet from Calhoun's. Most days there is a steady flow of students to and from his desk, Brown said.

"A lot of students just stop in to say hello," she said. "He's always there for them, and he works really hard to help students graduate."

Although he will now work in Anthony Hall, Calhoun said he'd still have limited contact with the sociology department. He has confidence in the faculty to carry on any progress he initiated.

"I have nothing but faith in my colleagues and I know they'll continue to move forward," Calhoun said.

Reporter Zack Quaintance can be reached at zack_quaintance@dailyegyptian.com.