University has new president and provost

Everything you hear people say about Wayne State University president Allan Gilmour is positive. His outgoing personality and open door style have endeared him to faculty, staff and students alike since he began his tenure as interim president Aug. 30, 2010, replacing former president Jay Noren, who resigned after two years. Gilmour was approved unanimously and named president by the WSU Board of Governors Jan. 18, 2011.

President Gilmour, a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Michigan, is best known for his career at Ford Motor Company, from which he retired in 1995 as vice chairman. He was, at the time, the highest-ranking corporate leader in America to come out publicly as gay. He rejoined the company as vice chairman in 2002, and retired again in 2005.

Gilmour currently serves on the boards of directors of DTE Energy Company, Business Leaders for Michigan, and Downtown Detroit Partnership. "He is an active leader," said Governor Tina Abbott, vice chair of the WSU board.

"He is a problem solver and is making a difference," Governor Paul Massaron, who chaired the Presidential Search Committee, agreed. "Wayne State needs a president of Allan's stature; he knows how to lead." Massaron added, "The committee had done a lot of prep work, but we had not yet begun to interview candidates. At some point we realized we've already found the right person to be president - and he's right here."

Since taking the helm in August, Gilmour moved quickly to focus on students. "We are an academic institution, and our most important task is to help our students be successful, both in and out of the classroom," he said. "Obviously, our excellent teaching and research faculty are integral to this mission; they typify excellence. And our support staff plays key roles - too frequently unrecognized - in students' success. Working together, all our people will combine to provide Wayne State students a great education."

More New Leadership…

Ronald T. Brown became a familiar figure at the College of Engineering on two recent visits to the Danto Engineering Development Center to announce and introduce the new engineering dean, Farshad Fotouhi. Brown was most enthusiastic about Fotouhi's leadership capabilities and vision, making a commitment to add 16 new engineering faculty line positions over the next several years.

Brown, a leading pediatric psychologist who specializes in children and adolescents with chronic illnesses, attention deficit disorders and learning disabilities, was appointed provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Wayne State University Aug. 1, 2010, by former WSU president Jay Noren. Brown replaced Nancy Barrett, who resigned May 14, 2010, after serving as provost for seven years.
Previously, Brown was dean of Temple University's College of Health Professions and Social Work, a school formed when the colleges combined in 2009. Earlier, Brown was dean of the College of Health Professions since 2004.

During his career, Brown has received more than $20 million in research funding from the federal government and foundations to study issues such as the oral health of African-American diabetic adolescents, learning impairments among survivors of childhood cancer, and the effects of maternal alcohol use on the achievements of children when they reach school age.