The first of four finalists for NDSU provost and vice president for academic affairs envisions the university in 10 years as an “epicenter of impact that will draw students, faculty and partners.” That comment was made April 5 by Howard D. Grimes, vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School at Washington State University, Pullman, during a public presentation to NDSU faculty and staff.
Grimes said NDSU in 2021 will “need to reach out while engaging students within.” He explained NDSU will be an institution of state, regional, national and international impact, with public and private partners.
While stating he cannot predict the future, Grimes said he believes NDSU will be “an integrated environment of arts, research innovation and impact.” He said NDSU’s challenge is to produce graduates who drive innovation. “NDSU graduates need to know how to create jobs, not just get jobs,” he said.
Grimes, who also is a professor of molecular biosciences, has been a faculty member and administrator at WSU since 1995. He said a priority for a provost is to “attract and retain a diverse faculty of preeminent excellence.”
Grimes previously was a research scientist at Purdue University, West Lafayette. In addition, he held a postdoctoral position at Purdue and was a post-graduate research biochemist at the University of California, Davis. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana University, his master’s degree in plant pathology at the University of Massachusetts and his doctorate in botany at North Carolina State University.
He is a member of the American Society of Plant Biology and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His vita lists 50 publications and 24 invited seminars or addresses. Grimes is a past member of the editorial board of Plant Physiology, and is an ad hoc reviewer for such journals as Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, Planta, Journal of Plant Physiology, Journal of Biological Chemistry and Phytochemistry. He also is a reviewer for the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy.
Three other finalists also will visit campus. Cheryl Schrader, dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State University, is scheduled to give a public presentation on Thursday, April 7. Bradley Fenwick, professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Tennessee and former vice chancellor of research and engagement at UT, is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, April 12. Bruce Rafert, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at Clemson University, will give an open forum on Thursday, April 14. All the talks are scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Memorial Union Century Theater.
“We’re thrilled with the four finalists. They all have exactly what we want – they have exemplary scholarship in their backgrounds, both academically and in research. They are student focused individuals and have a deep understanding of the land grant mission,” said University Distinguished Professor Neil Gudmestad from plant pathology, who chairs the search committee.
Gudmestad said the committee is scheduled to meet April 18 to outline the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses. Those observations will be forwarded to President Dean L. Bresciani without ranking the candidates.
The provost and vice president for academic affairs will serve as the chief academic officer of NDSU, and provide increased coordination of all university scholarly and instructional activities. The vice presidents for Research, Creative Activities and Technology Transfer; Agriculture and University Extension; Information Technology; and Equity Diversity and Global Outreach will report to the president through the provost.
The candidates’ open forums will be available for viewing at www.ndsu.edu/news/provost_search.
