I am pleased to announce that Scott Coltrane has agreed to serve as the new senior vice president and provost of the University of Oregon.

The provost serves as the chief academic officer of the university, fostering excellence in undergraduate education, graduate education, research, and service to Oregonians. Dr. Coltrane has been serving as interim senior vice president and provost since July 2013. During that time he has proven himself to be a strong leader and an inspiring colleague. I am impressed with the academic-planning and priority-setting efforts he is currently leading on campus, and am excited to work together as we advance our mission of access and excellence at the University of Oregon.

Prior to his current appointment, Professor Coltrane served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oregon from 2008 to 2013 and as associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at the University of California, Riverside, from 2004 to 2008.

He earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1988 and was a professor of sociology at the University of California, Riverside, from 1988 to 2008. His research focuses on families, in particular the ways mothers and fathers divide parenting and housework, and has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Spencer Foundation. He is the author of four books and more than 100 articles and chapters. Professor Coltrane received the Distinguished Teaching Award at UC Riverside, is past president of the Pacific Sociological Association, and is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Scott Coltrane CV)

The University of Oregon undertook the search for a new provost in the spring of 2013. A search firm helped conduct a national recruitment effort that yielded about 200 applicants for review. The 20-member UO search committee, chaired by Alexander Murphy, Professor of Geography and James F. and Shirley K. Rippey Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences, narrowed the group to 25 candidates for consideration. The committee conducted initial interviews with 11 semifinalists. Finalists were invited to campus to participate in a series of campus interviews, including a public presentation and campus feedback process. I thank Professor Murphy and the entire search committee for their work on this important endeavor.

Professor W. Andrew Marcus will serve as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences while a permanent replacement is sought.

Please join me in congratulating Scott Coltrane and welcoming him to his permanent role as senior vice president and provost.

Michael Gottfredson, President