Dartmouth officials say they hope to find a replacement for Medical School Dean Andrew Wallace before his official retirement in 1998. Wallace announced Fall term that he will step down after his second term.
College President James Freedman last week officially charged a 16-member search committee with the task of finding a new head for the medical school. The committee will try to fill the vacancy before December.
Acting College Provost James Wright said, "It would be nice to have a dean in place then to take part in the medical school's activities before Dean Wallace's term ends in 1998."
Wright said the committee intends "to find someone who will build on the unique foundation that Wallace has already set for the Medical School -- somebody who is prepared to lead the school in its strong clinical research," he said.
The committee is currently deciding how to advertise the position, Wright said. Until last week's meeting, the committee was unable to solicit applications.
"People who were aware of Wallace's resignation may have written a letter inquiring about the position, but no official invitations for the position have been sent out," he said.
Wallace made his decision to resign after discussions with Freedman, former Provost Lee Bollinger and his family, he said in a letter to the DMS community last fall.
Wallace said his age played a role in his decision.
"By June of 1998, I will have reached my 63rd birthday and I will have completed two four-year terms as dean, which is the custom at Dartmouth," the letter stated. "Holding a position such as dean until age 67 has frankly never been my plan, nor is it in Dartmouth's best interest."
After June 1998, Wallace will be on a College-sponsored sabbatical. Wallace, who was formerly Dartmouth's vice president for Health Affairs, served as the 11th dean of DDS.
