Changing of the Guard

by Sandy Becker, Newsletter staff

Dr. Don Lick resigned from his position as Head of the Math Department at the end of summer semester 2001 after 16 years of service. Dr. Bette Warren was appointed Acting Department Head for the 2001-2002 academic year until a permanent replacement is found.

Under Dr. Lick’s leadership, the department set up several new programs, including a joint program in math and computer science and several special concentrations within the undergraduate and graduate math programs. He still remembers the phone call that snowballed into creating the Developmental Math Program; it was a call from the Provost about his daughter. The call led to a planning meeting that led to a math requirement for all undergraduates. The department needed to prepare students for that requirement. The answer? Developmental math.

Dr. Lick is quick to credit the faculty for the progress the department has made in the last 16 years. He points out that nine faculty members have received Distinguished Faculty Awards, and many have received other awards and honors.

“We have some of the best instructors on campus,” he says. “They are hard working and do what needs to be done.”
Dr. Lick hopes that the department continues to hire good people, improve the programs, and “do a better job” of recruiting graduate students.

Acting Head Dr. Bette Warren shares these goals and has some additional goals for the coming year. She would like to get the Math Colloquium going again, which would allow faculty members to share what they are doing with each other and with students. She supports the faculty in their goal to establish a better web presence, and she wants to gain more personal understanding of department procedures and communications.

“I am sure that Bette will do an excellent job as department head,” says Dr. Lick.

The department has established a search committee to find a permanent Department Head with the help of Academic Human Resources.

See also the other article about Dr. Lick.