Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff Members,

I’m delighted to share the news that, upon the recommendation of the Provost Search Committee and following a thorough review of several highly qualified internal candidates, Professor of Computer Science Rich Wicentowski will serve as the next provost and dean of the faculty of Swarthmore College, effective July 1.

Rich has been a valued and committed member of the Swarthmore community since joining the faculty in 2002. He’s held numerous leadership roles and has served on several standing faculty committees, including as a current member of the Faculty Compensation Committee and the Committee on Faculty Procedures (COFP). He also sits on the Swarthmore Forward Implementation Advisory Committee and is the faculty advisor for the men’s and women’s swimming teams. Rich chaired the Computer Science Department twice, and in 2013, he served a three-year term as associate provost.

Rich is a highly respected scholar and teacher whose research focuses on natural language processing, including computational morphology and semantic disambiguation — areas centered on how computers learn to understand and work with human languages. He graduated from Rutgers University with honors before earning an M.S. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University.

Rich has consistently demonstrated his deep commitment to Swarthmore’s mission. In recommending him for this role, the search committee highlighted his broad service to the College; his extensive and varied experience; and the strong, enduring relationships he has built with faculty and staff alike. Rich’s openness to different viewpoints and thoughtful, collaborative approach will serve the community well as we make our way through this period of uncertainty and significant challenges.

As principal academic officer of the College, the provost and dean of the faculty oversees the curriculum and the faculty. All academic departments report to the provost, as do the Libraries; Athletics, Physical Education & Recreation; and Information Technology Services. The provost chairs the Council on Educational Policy and the Curriculum Committee and is a member of COFP and the Committee on Promotion and Tenure, among others. The provost works with department chairs on appointments, reappointments, and tenure and promotion decisions; develops budgets for the academic programs; provides faculty with opportunities for professional development as scholars and teachers; and proposes, evaluates, and implements curricular changes.

I would like to thank the members of the Provost Search Committee for their thoughtful and careful work throughout this search process:

• Alan Baker, Professor of Philosophy
• Karin Colby, Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach
• Cheryl Grood, Professor of Mathematics
• Marc Remer, Associate Professor of Economics
• Kathryn Riley ’10, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Eric Song, Professor of English and Committee Chair

I also thank all those who took the time to nominate candidates, and of course, the candidates themselves, for pursuing the position, which is a true testament to their commitment to the College.

Finally, I am profoundly grateful to Kathleen Howard, the Edward Hicks Magill Professor of Mathematics & Natural Sciences and professor of chemistry & biochemistry, who has served as acting provost and dean of the faculty throughout this past academic year. Kathleen approached the role with curiosity and grace, and Swarthmore is a better place because of her thoughtful and steady leadership. I extend my deepest thanks to Kathleen and the entire Provost’s Office for helping the College through this period of transition.  

Sincerely,

Valerie Smith
President