Gregg Kvistad was named the new provost for University of Denver last Wednesday by Chancellor Robert Coombe.
Kvistad has been at DU for 22 years. During this time he has filled many roles. He was a full-time professor in the Political Science Department and was the chair of the department for six years. In an e-mail sent out by Coombe he had this to say about Kvistad’s work in the department:
“As a faculty member, Gregg has been well-known as a productive scholar and one of our best teachers. Both his teaching and scholarship have focused on Western European politics, particularly politics in modern Germany.”B
Subsequently, Kvistad served as dean to the Arts, Humanities and Social Studies division for seven years. Coombe went on to laud his work as dean in the same e-mail.
“He was a principle force behind the successful implementation of both the Marsico Initiative and the Cherrington Global Scholars program. His tenure in that office was characterized by dramatic growth in the numbers of AHSS students, tremendous productivity among the AHSS faculty and enlightened fiscal management.”
Kvistad was appointed to be interim provost of the university. Coombe said, “I am absolutely delighted that Gregg will be the university’s chief academic officer at this critical time in our history.”
Additionally, Jose Roberto (Beto) Juarez Jr. was appointed dean of the Sturm College of Law. Juarez is currently teaching at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. He has been teaching there since 1990. He has served as the associate dean for academic and student affairs, in this role he worked with academic programs and was integral in developing the law’ school budget and also worked with student affairs.
“With a host of new faculty members added during the past few years,
a new building, the wonderful naming gift from Donald and Susan Sturm and the
development of the Nanda Center for International Law supported by a generous
gift from Doug and Mary Scrivner, the Sturm College of Law is poised for a
major leap forward in quality and stature. Beto Juarez is the right person
to lead the college to realization of that goal,” wrote Coombe.
Another addition to the University is Rodney Smith. Smith will be joining the university as Executive director of conferencing and events. Smith knows the university and the Denver area well. He was serving as director of business development for theatres and arenas for the City and County of Denver. He served as an consultant for DU during the design and construction of the Newman Center.
“I am absolutely delighted that he will be joining us,” said Coombe in the email.
