UCONN Vice Provost Named Provost At Univ. Of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- Dr. Robert V. Smith, vice provost for research and graduate education and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Connecticut, has been named provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas, effective July 1, UA Chancellor John A. White announced today.

"Bob Smith has forged a distinguished career as a faculty member, scientist, and academic administrator at four major research universities," White said. "I am confident he has the experience, commitment, and high energy level to help us realize our vision as a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world.

"Dr. Smith got a very strong recommendation from the search committee and also received an exceptionally large number of favorable comments from faculty, staff and students who attended his open forum on March 13 and met with him during his visit," White added. "I know he will provide leadership that is both dynamic and collegial. He will work very well with the University community and our external constituencies."

White also thanked the search committee, chaired by University Professor of Physics Greg Salamo, for its "diligence and hard work in finding an impressive group of finalists."

White noted that he had never known of a search committee to invest itself so heavily in seeking the top prospects nationally. "The work of this committee sets a new standard for academic searches," he said.

The provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs is the chief academic officer at the University, reporting directly to the chancellor. Reporting to the provost are the deans of eight schools and colleges, as well as the deans of continuing education, University libraries and enrollment services. Other units reporting to the provost are Air Force and Army ROTC, the Teaching and Faculty Support Center, and the offices of institutional research and summer session.

Smith, 58, will be paid an annual salary of $190,000.

The challenge before Provost Smith will be to provide leadership that will enhance the teaching and research stature of the University. That translates into moving the University of Arkansas from its current status as a Carnegie Research University II to Research University I; increasing external research funding to $100 million and doubling the annual budget; and moving into the nation’s top 50 public universities as defined by U.S. News and World Report.

"That’s why Bob’s experience is so relevant to our situation," White said. "The University of Connecticut has been on a fast track to strengthen academic quality and reputation and has had impressive success in recent years. Also, Bob has had significant experience at land-grant universities and fully grasps the challenges faced by such institutions."

White added that Connecticut, the state’s flagship and land-grant university, is a Research University I, doing close to $50 million in federal research and development funding alone in fiscal year 1997 and ranking 35^th nationally among public research universities with $140.8 million in total R&D expenditures.

"Its research library also ranks 56^th nationally in holdings," he noted. "We would like to be at those levels now, so Connecticut provides a good model for us."

"With great enthusiasm, I am looking forward to serving as chief academic officer of the University of Arkansas," Smith said. "I am much impressed with Chancellor White’s leadership and with what he’s been able to accomplish in his short tenure, and eagerly anticipate working closely with him.

"I’m equally impressed with the shared vision for moving the University into the ranks of leading public research universities, with the tradition of student-centeredness that permeates this university, and with the quality of the deans, faculty, students, and staff I had the privilege to meet during my visit," he added. "The potential for the University of Arkansas is enormous and, working together, I’m confident we can continue to build the great public university Arkansas needs and deserves."

After earning his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1968, Smith began his academic career at the University of Iowa (1968-74), as assistant and later associate professor of medicinal chemistry.

He moved to the University of Texas at Austin in 1974, rising from associate to full professor and then being named the first James E. Bauerle Centennial Professor of Drug Dynamics.

In 1985, he went to the Washington State University as dean of the College of Pharmacy. In 1987, he was named vice provost for research and dean of Washington State’s Graduate School.

He moved to the University of Connecticut in 1997. In addition to his current post as head of research and graduate education, he is director of the University of Connecticut Research Foundation and Interim Chancellor and Provost for Health Affairs (for Personnel, Tenure and Reappointment matters) at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Smith is a fellow of both the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. He has been principal investigator in research projects totaling more than $40 million over his professional lifetime, from sponsors such as the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Energy, and various pharmaceutical firms.

Smith has made more than 150 invited lectures, seminars, and conference presentations, published more than 175 papers and written or co-authored four books.

A native of Long Island, N.Y., Smith earned his bachelor’s in pharmaceutical sciences from St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y. in 1963. He earned his masters in pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Michigan.

His wife, Marsha June, a native of Longview, Texas, is an alumna of the University of North Texas, with a B.F.A. in art and an M.A. in literature. She is a practicing artist.

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