Former AAUP-KSU director fills position vacated by Ormiston

Kent State filled a vacant associate provost position yesterday with someone who has previous ties to the university.

Sue Averill, who currently works for Cleveland State University, will begin her new position as associate provost for faculty affairs Dec. 1. Averill served for 17 years as executive director of Kent State’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

A search committee led by Tim Moerland, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, narrowed the search down to four candidates, who were interviewed during the past several weeks.

Frank said the university had an excellent pool of candidates for the position.

“We could have chosen any of them without making a bad choice,” Frank said. “Her knowledge of the area was so extensive that it guaranteed a smooth transition. It will help the office run more efficiently.”

Tom Janson, chairman of the Faculty Senate, said the position is crucial to the university.

“(It) is the vital link between the Senate and AAUP-KSU,” he said.

As associate provost for faculty affairs, Averill will oversee faculty contractual issues, faculty issues and academic personnel, in addition to acting as the liaison between the university and the faculty union.

The office was left vacant in August, when Gayle Ormiston, who had been at Kent State since 1989, took a position as provost at Marshall University.

Contact academic affairs reporter Maria Nann at [email protected].