Vice Provost Schafer to step down

After 12 years as Vice Provost for Research, Dr. Rollie Schafer has decided to step down from his position to return to teaching and research activities.

Schafer agreed to remain in his current position through the end of the fiscal year in order to provide the university with time to chose a new chief research officer and make the transition to new leadership in the research area.

Schafer says he wants to "rediscover all of the personal projects deferred over the past dozen years."

Schafer has served as a member of the university faculty since 1976 and has made a host of significant contributions to the university. A distinguished professor of Neuroscience and productive researcher in his own right, he has served as Vice Provost for Research since 1997. Prior to his service as Vice Provost, he was Associate Dean for Science and Technology in the College of Arts and Sciences and then for some 10 years he was Associate Vice President for Research and Dean of the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies during a period of substantial growth in research and graduate programs.

In addition to leading the development of UNT's research and graduate education activities, Dr. Schafer was instrumental in the successful outcome of the decade-long review (1986-1996) by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board of UNT's doctoral programs. He played a key role in the development of the university's undergraduate program in engineering technology and the interdisciplinary doctoral programs and research capabilities in environmental sciences, information sciences, and materials science. Always looking for new links in UNT's educational mission, he helped to build international education at UNT through the development of ties with universities in Southeast Asia, Mexico and Africa.

The university is now seeking qualified candidates from the faculties of UNT and the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth to apply for the position of Vice Provost for Research.

Other featured articles in this issue

• UNT scientists, students join other Texas universities in display showcasing scientific research
• UNT seeking $28.9 million in funding from 77th Texas Legislature
• Regents, THECB discuss closing the gaps
• Top questions regarding the UNT publications policy
• UNT students receive $25,000 Rotary Scholarships
• Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism to host African journalist as visiting lecturer
• Take precautions when using space heaters
• UNT professor says Super Bowl is going to be dot-com thin this year
• Two groups help keep former UNT staff, faculty involved in university life

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