Syracuse University’s Vice Chancellor and Provost Eric Spina will discuss SU’s financial preparedness with current economic turmoil in his annual address to the faculty today.

During the 4 p.m. speech in Hendricks Chapel, Spina will also honor all SU distinguished trustee and alumni professors, with special recognition for distinguished and endowed chair professors who have been appointed to their positions within the past year.

These professors include:* Walter Broadnax, public administration in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs* Fiona Chew, television, radio and film in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications * Gerardine Clark, drama in the College of Visual and Performing Arts* David Driesen, environmental and constitutional law in the College of Law* Elizabeth Ingram, Shubert Chair in the theater arts in VPA* Rosemary O’Leary, Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in strategic management and leadership in Maxwell * Peter Saulson, physics in the College of Arts and Sciences* Steven Taylor, disability studies in the School of Education* Jay Wright, Newhouse Endowed Chair of Public Communications in Newhouse

‘(My new title) doesn’t change any of my specific duties,’ Saulson said. ‘But it does reinforce my desire to connect success in my research with my roles as a teacher and as a public spokesperson for science.’

The professors being honored have no formal role in today’s address. Many, including Taylor, plan to attend the speech to hear Spina’s vision of the future of the university, he said. Spina was appointed to the position of Syracuse University Vice Chancellor and Provost in January 2007 after nearly 20 years as a faculty member.

He delivered his first annual address to the faculty last October. During the 45-minute speech, he discussed his time as a member of the SU faculty, alumni approval of the university’s current plans, Scholarship in Action and how faculty can better serve students.

‘It is deeply embedded in our history and in our institutional character to be innovative in employing our assets to address the greatest challenges of the day and prepare our students to be leaders in the world,’ Spina said in last year’s speech.

Spina said the address is delivered to the faculty as more of a tradition, since the provost’s job is to work directly with deans and faculty members. The speech is open to other members of the SU community, but its goal is to encourage the faculty in teaching and scholarship, Spina said.

‘I think these speeches are a chance to interact with the university community as a whole,’ he said. ‘Chancellor (Nancy) Cantor and I are often in committee meetings or meetings with smaller groups of faculty and staff. This is a chance to communicate, give people an update and to reassure people that the university is in a good position and being prudent and responsible with its decisions.’

kmimamur@syr.edu

Published on November 2, 2008 at 12:00 pm