Last modified: Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Zorn named associate vice provost at IU Bloomington
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 17, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Sonya Stephens today announced the appointment of Kurt Zorn, professor of Public and Environmental Affairs, as associate vice provost for undergraduate education at Indiana University Bloomington. His appointment takes effect immediately.
As associate vice provost, Zorn will: oversee University Division matters relating to dual credit; work with the director of athletic development to coordinate programs that support IU Bloomington's student-athletes; and work on other initiatives related to curricular development.
"I am delighted that Professor Zorn has agreed to take on these responsibilities," said Stephens, who became the first vice provost for undergraduate education in January. "He is an esteemed and established scholar, as well as a very experienced and widely respected administrator with long experience of Indiana University and its tradition of excellence. He brings to this role not only his incisive analytical skills, but his tremendous energy and a genuine commitment to undergraduate education, broadly conceived, and to the many programs which support learning and teaching on our campus."
Provost and Executive Vice President Karen Hanson also praised Zorn's experience and leadership skills.
"Kurt has served IU Bloomington extraordinarily well as both a faculty member and an administrator," Hanson said. "He has led with distinction a number of university-wide task forces, and his expertise has been called upon repeatedly for initiatives in the city, the state and in a number of international contexts. As interim dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, his effective leadership was greatly appreciated by both the school and the university. I'm very pleased that he will play a key role in the new office and in the ongoing efforts to enhance the undergraduate academic experience on our campus."
Zorn says he looks forward to fresh challenges and working with new colleagues.
"Over the years I have gained a real appreciation for the enormous amount of talent that is devoted to Indiana University's educational mission," said Zorn. "This new position will allow me to work closely with many of these dedicated individuals, including the faculty and staff in the academic units, Vice Provost Stephens, and the talented staff in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, to further strengthen undergraduate education on the Bloomington campus. I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity."
Zorn served as interim dean of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs during the 2007-2008 academic year. From 2001-2008, he served as SPEA's associate dean for academic affairs. He has been a member of the SPEA faculty since 1981.
Zorn received his doctorate from Syracuse University. His research interests focus on state and local finance, transportation safety, and economic development. He has published numerous articles in all three areas and is a co-author of a book on aviation safety.
Zorn served as chair of the Indiana's Citizens' Commission on Taxes and has served on the board of the Indiana Bond Bank since 1995. He is a member of the City of Bloomington Economic Development Commission and a faculty associate with the Lincoln Land Institute of Land Policy. His previous service to Indiana University includes stints as director of state relations and as adviser to the IU president.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education was created as part of a restructuring of campus administration that placed the broad functions of the former office of academic affairs and dean of the faculties under the leadership of two vice provosts. The office oversees programs and initiatives in support of outstanding academic experiences for all IU Bloomington undergraduates.
