KU News Release

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean Steinmetz named KU interim provost

Joseph Steinmetz

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway today announced that he is appointing Joseph Steinmetz, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as interim provost.

Steinmetz will work with departing provost Richard Lariviere to provide a smooth transition for the Lawrence campus, as both the provost and the chancellor are expected to leave their posts on the same day this summer.

Hemenway is stepping down as chancellor on June 30 after 14 years at the helm; Lariviere last week was named the choice for president of the University of Oregon, effective July 1.

A national search is under way for the new chancellor, with July 1 as the target start date. The provost oversees Lawrence campus academic and operational issues. In addition to serving as interim provost, Steinmetz will continue indefinitely to head the College.

“With Joe Steinmetz we have an experienced, highly regarded leader who oversees the largest academic unit of the university,” Hemenway said. “During the remaining months of this academic year, Joe will work closely not only with the leadership team in the provost’s office but also with me.”

Steinmetz has led the College, which enrolls nearly 17,000 students and comprises 53 departments, since 2006. He was appointed KU dean after 19 years at Indiana University, where he served as executive associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of Psychology.

Steinmetz is renowned as a behavioral neuroscientist. In 1996, the National Academy of Science selected him for its Troland Research Award to recognize his contributions to the fields of experimental psychology and neuroscience. He received the 2000 Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Faculty Award. At KU, where he maintains a neuroscience research lab, he was named a University Distinguished Professor in 2007.

Nearly half of KU students earn their bachelor’s degrees from the College, which has more than 1,400 faculty members and graduate teaching assistants.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.