Elizabeth D. Liddy was appointed dean of the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University Wednesday, after serving as interim dean of the school since the death of former dean Raymond von Dran in June.

‘I never wanted to be dean,’ Liddy said. ‘But then when I was interim dean, I liked it.’

The search began when Von Dran had announced his decision to retire in September 2006, said Mitchel B. Wallerstein, the search committee chair and dean of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

‘We sorted through many, many candidates,’ Wallerstein said.

Liddy was chosen over two other finalists – Richard Welke from the University of Georgia and Thomas Finholt from the University of Michigan.

‘The other candidates had their strengths, but right now at this moment in the school’s history, Liz was the right person,’ said Eric Spina, SU vice chancellor and provost. ‘She is a leading scholar, leading entrepreneur, and she started a successful company. From that base, transferring her to the dean role was quite seamless.’

Four other SU colleges are in the midst of dean searches: The College of Arts and Sciences, the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Newhouse School brought to finalists to campus last month, while Spina announced last week that VPA would undergo a national search to fill its vacancy.

Spina said Liddy’s work as interim dean helped the decision.

‘She has been a superb interim dean,’ Spina said. ‘Watching how she performed in that role was an important factor.’

In her first act as dean, Liddy created a new position for an associate dean who will focus on research.

One dean position is for academic affairs while the other will work on research to move forward in the technology field, Liddy said.

‘We believe (the associate deans) are equally important,’ she said. ‘So now we have two.’

Though most of Liddy’s experience lies in research, Spina said he was impressed by her dedication and love for the iSchool’s faculty, staff and students.

‘She is a very good listener,’ he said. ‘She is the kind of person who is not afraid to learn. Leaders who feel they know it all can’t be as effective.’

Wallerstein also said Liddy is well-prepared to lead the iSchool.

‘Liz Liddy is a very distinguished professor in the field,’ he said. ‘We were looking for someone who was a distinguished person in the field of information science and information studies and someone with a vision for where they wanted to lead the iSchool.’

Another of Liddy’s plans as dean is a fundraising effort in honor of the former dean.

She said she hopes to name the iSchool after Raymond F. von Dran and his ‘tremendous impact’ on the school.

‘He led the iSchool movement,’ Liddy said.

Both Spina and Wallerstein pointed out that because Liddy graduated from SU she has a good sense of the school’s history and considers the school’s best interest as a whole.

‘She will be good in terms of getting faculty together to listen to their dreams and hopes, and in a consensual way, leading that unit forward,’ Spina said.

Liddy said her goal is to make sure that everyone benefits.

‘I’m very focused on unified diversity,’ she said.

Liddy’s strong track record as a researcher will help her gain external support for research in the iSchool. Because she is a highly collaborative person, it will be beneficial for the iSchool to be intimately linked to other schools and colleges, he said.

Liddy remains upbeat and hopeful for the future of the iSchool.

‘We’re excited to move forward,’ Liddy said.

kapapo@syr.edu

Published on February 13, 2008 at 12:00 pm