The search committee for a new head of the Rockefeller Center for Social Sciences extended an informal offer to Syracuse University Political Science Professor Linda Fowler.
Fowler, who specializes in American public policy and the U.S. Congress, emerged as the committee's top choice among the five finalists who visited the College this summer.
The offer has not been formally advanced on paper and its terms are open for negotiation, said George Wolford, chair of the search committee and associate dean of the faculty.
Wolford said Fowler's acceptance is contingent upon her receiving tenure from the government department, where she would teach while serving as Rocky's director. The department is expected to reach a decision by the end of the term.
Fowler said her acceptance of the position relies upon a number of other variables, including her husband, who is a prominent lawyer in Rochester, N.Y.
The search for a new director began last February, when Geography Professor George Demko, who had headed the Rockefeller Center since 1989, decided not to reapply for another five-year term.
Roxanne Waldner, the assistant director under Demko, is currently serving as the interim director.
Fowler has taught at Syracuse since 1975. She graduated magna cum laude from Smith College in 1967 and received her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1977.
At Syracuse, Fowler, whose research focuses around issues of leadership, has won several teaching awards, written two books and published about 20 articles. Her books include "Candidates, Congress, and the American Democracy," published last year, and "Political Ambition: who Decides to run for Congress," published in 1989.
Government Department Chair Nelson Kasfir said the department will review recommendations from outside the College in deciding her tenure.
"We are delighted to consider her," Kasfir said, although he noted that the department feels some pressure to grant Fowler tenure because of the Rockefeller Center's offer.
During the search process, Kasfir said he had the opportunity to observe Fowler with students. "We found that she is an excellent teacher," he said.
Fowler declined to discuss specifics about what types of things she would try to accomplish as director.
Jim Brennan '96, Rocky's student intern, said Fowler was the second choice among students serving on Rockefeller Student Council.
Although the students chose Jack Dovidio '73, a psychology professor at Colgate University as its top choice, Brennan said he was happy with Fowler's selection.
"They were both top choices," Brennan said. "They were both very personal and interested in students."
Brennan said the candidates' connections with Dartmouth -- Dovidio is an alumnus and Fowler's son is a current undergraduate -- helped them to understand the close interaction expected between faculty and students.
