Poincelot to Serve as Temporary Dean

Since his arrival at Fairfield 30 years ago, Raymond Poincelot has had an accomplished career.

But the next phase of his prolific career will be even more noteworthy. Last week, Poincelot was announced as the interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

He will take the place of former dean, Timothy Snyder, who has accepted the position of academic vice president of Loyola College in Maryland.

The decision was made by University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, after a recommendation by Academic Vice President Orin Grossman.

Grossman spoke with a number of faculty members, who wanted a tenured senior faculty member to be named interim dean.

Poincelot will begin his duties as interim chair on July 1 of this year and will serve in that capacity until June 30, 2008.

As the interim dean, Poincelot will hold the position of dean while a search is performed to fill the position for a long-term period.

During the coming months, Grossman and the Academic Council will elect faculty members to be part of a search committee.

According to Grossman, the committee will develop an outline of the ideal candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as develop a timetable for the search, which will be extensive.

This will be followed by a comprehensive search that will narrow down candidates systematically through interviews and campus visits.

The final decision for the long-term position of dean of the College Arts and Sciences will be made be made by von Arx with recommendations from the search committee.

“Dr. Poincelot has been an effective administrator in the Arts and Sciences office,” said Grossman.

“Given his wide experience, his effectiveness and his stature as a tenured senior member of the faculty, he seemed like the right recommendation to make to the president,” he said.

While serving as a professor of biology, he was extremely influential in the forming of the environmental science program.

Poincelot went on to chair the biology department for 13 years before becoming associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences four years ago.

Poincelot also created the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture in 1989. It was the first Academic Journal to be housed at Fairfield.

He served as the editor-in-chief during the journal’s 18 years of existence.

It now produces eight issues a year, receiving contributions from all over the world.

His own research has focused on sustainable agriculture and the effects of seaweed and compost products on plant propagation and growth.

Poincelot’s predecessor praised his work.

“As associate dean, he [Poincelot] has been a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom that has helped the College grow in size and quality,” said Snyder.

Snyder noted Poincelot’s patience and his compatibility with students.

“He has intimate knowledge of laboratory science, student learning through discovery, grant procurement and other issues that are important to the College,” said Snyder.

Poincelot noted his positive relationship with Snyder throughout his Fairfield career as well as Snyder’s enthusiasm to better the College in various ways.

“During Dean Snyder’s term as dean, faculty lines were increased and faculty diversity was expanded,” said Poincelot.

Poincelot said he will look to “continue the good works of Dean Snyder.”

Expanding faculty diversity and promoting initiatives to make Fairfield more multicultural are at the top of Poincelot’s list of improvements for the College.

Poincelot also explained how Snyder oversaw the creation of a long-range academic plan and the solicitation of numerous grants.

“My goal is that the next academic year will be mutually beneficial to all and that the College will continue in its excellence and high-energy, scholarly creativity,” said Poincelot.

Poincelot planned his activities and projects to spread their value to the students, faculty and administration.

“I am most looking forward to working directly with faculty to advance the University’s [two] strategic goals, integration of the core and the living and learning initiative,” said Poincelot.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with the faculty of the College of Arts and Science,” Poincelot added.