U. names Wales dep. provost

Physics Professor Walter Wales will take over as the new Deputy Provost this summer, succeeding Richard Clelland, University officials said last week. Wales will assume his post on July 1. Wales, who also serves as the School of Arts and Sciences associate dean, said last week that he is "happy" to fill the position which Clelland held for over ten years. "Clelland has done an extremely good job," Wales said. "He will be a tough act to follow." Wales said that one of the primary responsibilities of the deputy provost is to monitor personnel issues throughout the University, particularly grievances. "But mainly the deputy provost is responsible to assist the provost in any way possible," Wales added. The selection committee conducted a campus-only search which Provost Michael Aiken said looked for a candidate who exemplified fairness, trust and openness. He said there were many "outstanding" candidates and that the decision was difficult. "Anyone on this campus who knows [Wales], knows he personifies those qualities," Aiken said. "He clearly has the confidence of many people in the community." Wales joined the University as a physics instructor in 1959 and became a full professor in 1972. He has served as chairperson of the Faculty Senate and twice served as acting dean of SAS. Wales, who said he will continue to teach, won the SAS Ira Abrams Memorial Award in 1990. He has conducted research in high-energy physics and and was associate director of the Princeton-Penn Acccelerator from 1968-1971. "I am delighted by the decision," Clelland said Friday. "I've known [Wales] for many years and he is excellent." Staff writer Stephanie Desmon contributed to this story.

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