Douglas Leaman | Photo Courtesy of Wright State University
In a campus-wide email Monday morning, Wright State University (WSU) President Sue Edwards informed the community that Douglas W. Leaman, interim provost, has stepped down from his position and will be leaving by the end of February.
Leaman has accepted a new position as the dean of the College of Sciences at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM).
Concerns about Leaman and others leaving were brought up at a Dec. 7, 2020 Faculty Senate meeting by AAUP-WSU President Noeleen McIlvenna.
“In the last year, let me remind everyone in case you got busy. We have seen the departures from University Hall of President Schrader, [Vice President] for Finance Branson, General Counsel Chan, CIO Craig Woolley, Matt Boas and Lindsay [Miller], Paul Carney and his replacement enrollment manager, [Vice Provost] for Faculty Cheryl Meyer, head of WSARC Dennis Andersh,” Mcllvenna said at the meeting. “And we know interim Provost Leaman just had his interview with Central Michigan University, so he’s ready to slash and dash.”
According to Edwards, despite Leaman stepping down, he has contributed a great deal of his time and energy to numerous areas of WSU.
“Dr. Leaman has been an integral part of our Raider family for four years, serving as dean of the College of Science and Mathematics prior to being appointed interim provost in January 2020,” Edwards said.
She explained that he also played a central role in the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leaman offered his assistance and expertise by “helping to implement campus health and safety protocols; coordinating the transition to remote learning in March; managing the reopening of our campuses for Fall Semester; and planning for Spring Semester,” said Edwards.
Dr. Leaman has been heavily engaged in the academic retrenchment plan and the formation of the new health college and is committed to finishing them prior to his departure.
Leaman said he was drawn to the deanship by the university’s growth, as well as its support for building robust academic programs, according to AUM.
“A lot of the programs offered within the college have tremendous potential for growth,” Leaman said in an AUM press release. “I was impressed by the college’s department chairs, administrators, faculty, and of course by the university’s leadership team. The new science building and the potential it holds is the icing on the cake.”
WSU is finalizing a plan to fill the provost position on an interim basis until a permanent spot can be filled, according to the email. Leaman was named interim provost on Dec. 12, 2019.
