SALMON NAMES ROBERT LOW UVM PROVOST
"Bob Low brings to the Office of the Provost a scholarly and scientific perspective, considerable experience in academic administration, a wealth of institutional memory, a rock-solid work ethic and a vision for our university that I enthusiastically share," said UVM President Thomas P. Salmon about Low´s appointment, which is effective immediately.
Low is a veteran faculty member who joined UVM nearly 25 years ago and, in his capacity as interim provost, has helped lead and shape the university´s strategic planning process.
"He brings to his tasks the perspective of a leader in our strategic processes, as UVM crystallizes its mission for tomorrow and reaches for higher ground," added Salmon.
Low welcomed the challenge and expressed optimism about the university´s future. "The tasks we face are sobering ones as we recognize the significant new forces affecting not only our university, but higher education in general. However, I feel most enthusiastic about our future. Times of change are times of significant opportunity to reflect on the needs of the external communities we serve, to evaluate our ability to respond, and to develop a concrete strategy for doing so."
Low said his enthusiasm stems from his firm belief in the outcomes of the ongoing strategic planning process. He played a major role in the President´s Commission on Critical Choices that helped craft a vision for the university´s future. "Our course has been set, but there still is much to be accomplished through stable pursuit of the objectives and goals we have put before us," said Low. "I look forward very much to working with President Salmon and the university community to meet the challenge."
Low´s appointment was greeted with enthusiasm by David Howell, chair of the university´s Faculty Senate. "I think the faculty will be happy with Bob and I certainly respect him," said Howell. "He has the experience we need. He understands the university, and we really can´t afford to take a year to teach somebody else what UVM is all about. Bob really has a good vision for where the university needs to go."
Howell, who had the opportunity to meet all final candidates who visited the campus, said he is pleased with the search process and glad that Low emerged the winner. "I think the final choice is an excellent one."
According to Jill Tarule, dean of the College of Education & Social Services and chair of the provost search committee, the search attracted more than 100 applicants. Four, in addition to Low, were invited to meet with the UVM community during a series of forums and special issue sessions in April.
"I´m confident that we successfully located the most appropriate, strongest candidate to lead the university in its academic life at this time," said Tarule. "Dr. Low competed against a high-quality field of candidates from prestigious research institutions, and he was clearly an exemplary candidate among them."
Low is internationally known for his research on the cell biology of remodelling tissues. His research received significant funding from the National Institutes of Health, and the Vermont and American Heart associations. His research has resulted in numerous publications and honors, including a Senior Fogarty International Fellowship.
He joined the UVM faculty in 1970 as an assistant professor of physiology and biophysics following a two- year post doctorate fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Low was named associate professor in 1974 and professor of physiology and biophysics in 1979. He was named associate dean for research in the College of Medicine in 1984 and interim executive dean of the College of Medicine in 1991, responsible for the college´s research and academic affairs. He served as director of the Vermont Pulmonary Specialized Center of Research from 1976 to 1992. Low received a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University and his doctorate from the University of Chicago. He is regarded as an exemplary teacher and graduate mentor by his faculty colleagues and graduate students. He was named a University Scholar for the 1986-87 academic year.
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