Leadership Changes

George L. McLendon, who became dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences in July 2004, has been appointed to a second five-year term. At the same time, he has also been named dean of Trinity College, succeeding Robert J. Thompson Jr., who stepped down June 30 after nine years in the position to return to teaching.

The dual appointment has historical precedent at Duke. Ernestine Friedl was both dean of the faculty of Arts & Sciences and dean of Trinity College from 1980 to 1985, as were Richard A. White (from 1985 to 1989) and William H. Chafe (from 1997 to 1999).

McLendon's appointment to the new post is the latest in a series of moves designed to enhance the undergraduate experience at Duke. In March 2007, Provost Peter Lange named Stephen Nowicki, a biology professor and dean of the natural sciences, as the first dean of undergraduate education. And this past June, McLendon chose Lee D. Baker, the former chair of the Arts & Sciences Council, as Trinity College dean of academic affairs.

In that position, Baker, an associate professor of cultural anthropology and African and African American studies who has served in recent years on the DukeEngage steering committee, the Athletics Council review committee, and the provost's standing committee on diversity, will take on some of Thompson's former administrative responsibilities.

McLendon will now be charged with overseeing "the strategic integration of the undergraduate and graduate, and teaching and research, missions of Arts & Sciences," says Lange.