Kuncl to Become Provost at U. of Rochester

Kuncl and his wife, Nancy Kuncl, enjoy a toast at a farewell reception last week

Provost Ralph W. Kuncl will become the University of Rochester's new provost on Aug. 1, Rochester President Joel Seligman has announced.

Seligman said Kuncl's broad background as a scientific researcher, teacher and administrator at distinguished institutions like Bryn Mawr College and Johns Hopkins University made him a superb candidate.

"Ralph understands the unique nature of our work here at the University. He has the experience and breadth to appreciate the full spectrum of programs here, ranging from the sciences, engineering and medicine to the liberal arts and professional schools. His career, particularly at Bryn Mawr, is testament to his ability to dramatically improve undergraduate education. He also has the dedication and drive to play an important role in moving the University forward," Seligman said.

Kuncl said he is excited by the opportunities that await him.

"I look forward to working side by side with Joel Seligman to chart the future course of the University, making it one of the leading research universities in the world," Kuncl said. "Even before the position at Rochester opened, I felt like I already had experiences that gave me an instant attraction and connection to what the place is all about. The preeminent reputation of the Eastman School of Music is also a special attraciton for me."

At Bryn Mawr, where Kuncl became provost in 2002, he helped create a variety of new interdisciplinary tracks, minors and majors, including Middle Eastern studies, modern standard Arabic and geoarcheology. He created a method for reassessing the college's strategic plan as part of a regional re-accreditation, and the institution's federal research grant support nearly tripled during his tenure.

Faculty members praised Kuncl, who is an accomplished musician, for his support of the arts at Bryn Mawr; many also appreciated the mentorship programs Kuncl and his office created for faculty members at several stages of their careers and his personal attention to their professional development and success.

"During his tenure as provost of Bryn Mawr College, Ralph Kuncl was particularly supportive of the Creative Writing Program," said Director of Creative Writing Karl Kirchwey. "Together with Associate Provost Suzanne Spain, he brought an open-mindedness to his consideration of the program, making possible, among other things, an ongoing presence for a fiction/nonfiction writer on the teaching faculty, as well as four master classes that brought important American writers to the Bryn Mawr campus to read from their work and to teach. Within the context of a vibrant Arts Program at Bryn Mawr, Ralph encouraged the Creative Writing Program to develop as one of the best undergraduate programs of its kind."

Assistant Professor of Mathematics Leslie Cheng said Kuncl's advice
was critical in shepherding her along the path to tenure. "He helped me
make decisions that contributed a great deal to my professional
development. He has always supported my research and that of
other junior faculty. I appreciate the fact that he took the
time to get to know each of us in our offices, labs, or studios
when he first arrived on campus."

At Bryn Mawr, Kuncl will be succeeded as provost by Associate Professor of Psychology Kimberly Cassidy.

Back to Bryn Mawr Now 6/28/07

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