The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is pleased to announce that Duane C. Hrncir, Ph.D., will serve as the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs through the 2009-2010 academic year. Hrncir will assume the position from Dr. Karen Whitehead, current provost and vice president for academic affairs, as she retires on June 30 after 28 years of dedicated service to the School of Mines.
Hrncir currently serves as the dean of the College of Science and Letters at the School of Mines, a position that he assumed in 2006. With more than 25 years of experience in research and administration, Hrncir previously served as chemistry department chair and faculty member at the University of Texas at Dallas and dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and interim vice president for academic affairs at Mesa State College.
"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Hrncir has agreed to serve as our interim provost and vice president for academic affairs," President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., said. "His strong dual experience in both research and administration is an asset to the School of Mines and will be incredibly helpful in the transition."
Hrncir will focus on the daily operations of the university as well as collaborating with faculty to develop new educational opportunities for students and increasing partnerships with the region, state and nation.
"I look forward to working with President Wharton, the faculty, staff and students as we continue to build upon the excellence in engineering and science education that distinguishes the School of Mines," Hrncir said.
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