The King's Connection Magazine Volume 21 Number 3//Fall 2011 | Page 5

Featured article

neWlY appointed vp academic
By Dr. Harry Fernhout, President

L

ast summer, Dr. Harry Spaling indicated his decision not
to pursue an extension of his five year appointment as VP
Academic beyond June 30, 2011. This summer, he returned to
his prior position as a member of the Social Science Faculty
and began once again contributing to teaching, research and
program development in Geography and Environmental Studies
at King’s. Dr. Spaling’s key motivation was to return to his “first
love” and passion to be a teacher and scholar.
Dr. Spaling’s academic leadership as VP Academic was greatly
appreciated. His work on academic planning in the strategic
direction setting process, his role in faculty recruitment, and
his work with the Deans in developing academic leadership at
King’s has been superb.
Last spring, Dr. Hank Bestman, Dean of Natural Sciences,
agreed to fill the role of VP Academic on a one-year interim basis
while King’s continued to search for a permanent replacement
for Dr. Spaling. In September, the Search Committee was
delighted to receive Hank’s application to be considered for a
regular five-year appointment as VP Academic. The Committee
unanimously decided to recommend Hank’s appointment,
retroactive of July 1, 2011. The recommendation was
wholeheartedly endorsed by the General Faculty Council and
joyfully adopted by the Board of Governors on October 1, 2011.
In his letter of application, Hank indicates that a key reason
for submitting his application at this time is that King’s needs
stability in the VP Academic office in light of other current and
impending institutional leadership transitions (a new VP of
Advancement joining the ranks this year; a presidential search
underway for 2013). Adding a new, external VP Academic to
this scenario in 2012 would really stretch our capacity to absorb
institutional leadership transitions. Also, our academic program
planning process has reached an important stage that requires
someone in tune with our mission and vision and familiar with
the process to guide it to fruition. Additionally, Hank is finding
that the role has rewards he had not anticipated. ?

New PhDs
Dr. Margie Patrick
Dr. Michael DeMoor
Dr. Gerda Kits

Dr. Hank Bestman, VP Academic

The King’s Connection /// Fall 2011 /// 3