The dean of Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, Al Niemi, is heading the search committee charged with finding a replacement for SMU’s Dedman School of Law Dean John B. Attanasio, according to an announcement from the university.
SMU is not renewing its contract with Attanasio, whose term as dean expires May 31, 2013. Attanasio is currently serving the third of three, five-year contracts and, as a tenured faculty member, has the option of staying at the school after his term as dean expires.
Niemi has been dean of the business school since 1997 and is the senior dean among SMUs seven schools, the announcement says. Niemi did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
SMU Provost Paul Ludden selected Niemi as committee chairman, and Ludden also did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
The search committee will include representatives from the law school’s faculty and students, the university’s board of trustees, the law school’s executive board, alumni and others, the announcement says.
— Jeanne Graham
Comments