2008 Woodie Awards
Triplett to step down as chairman of Biology Dept.
Tonya Tomory
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Campus Life
Jim Triplett plans to step down as chairman of the Biology Department in May, a position he has held since 1985. So far, no one has been appointed to replace him.
Triplett, a PSU faculty member since 1981, says he plans to teach full time and spend his summers to conduct research and to travel.
"In 2003, I took my first sabbatical and that really gave me a taste of what it might be like," he said.
Lynette Olson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, says that the search is continuing for a new chairperson. Two candidates were interviewed in late January, but the search is still active.
Olson says that this is the second year in the search for a replacement for Triplett.
Olson explains that the search for such a position requires advertising all over the United States to attract a variety of applicants for the position. The process can sometimes take more than a year to complete.
Triplett says he hopes to make the transition as smooth as possible and does not plan to retire fully for a few more years. No current biology faculty members expressed interest in the chair position.
Triplett says that faculty input in the appointment is important since the chair is half-time faculty and half-time administration. However, the final decision is up to the dean, who said that she wants "the best possible fit for Pittsburg State."
Olson says that Triplett will be missed in his role as chairman.
"He has contributed much as department chair, to the department, as well as the college and university as a whole," Olson said.
Cynthia Ford, associate professor in biology, says she has enjoyed Triplett's leadership and support in the biology program and praised Triplett's support of field work. Ford says that students have enjoyed working with and going on trips with Triplett.
"Field trips can really make a student's experience," said Ford.
Ford hopes to see a good balance and support of lab and field sciences from the new chairperson, much as Triplett has provided.
Triplett has similar words of praise for the biology faculty.
"I have enjoyed my time as chair and felt that it was important and relevant work," he said. "The faculty and staff in the department are the greatest, which has made it more difficult to leave and pursue personal interests."
Triplett, a PSU faculty member since 1981, says he plans to teach full time and spend his summers to conduct research and to travel.
"In 2003, I took my first sabbatical and that really gave me a taste of what it might be like," he said.
Lynette Olson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, says that the search is continuing for a new chairperson. Two candidates were interviewed in late January, but the search is still active.
Olson says that this is the second year in the search for a replacement for Triplett.
Olson explains that the search for such a position requires advertising all over the United States to attract a variety of applicants for the position. The process can sometimes take more than a year to complete.
Triplett says he hopes to make the transition as smooth as possible and does not plan to retire fully for a few more years. No current biology faculty members expressed interest in the chair position.
Triplett says that faculty input in the appointment is important since the chair is half-time faculty and half-time administration. However, the final decision is up to the dean, who said that she wants "the best possible fit for Pittsburg State."
Olson says that Triplett will be missed in his role as chairman.
"He has contributed much as department chair, to the department, as well as the college and university as a whole," Olson said.
Cynthia Ford, associate professor in biology, says she has enjoyed Triplett's leadership and support in the biology program and praised Triplett's support of field work. Ford says that students have enjoyed working with and going on trips with Triplett.
"Field trips can really make a student's experience," said Ford.
Ford hopes to see a good balance and support of lab and field sciences from the new chairperson, much as Triplett has provided.
Triplett has similar words of praise for the biology faculty.
"I have enjoyed my time as chair and felt that it was important and relevant work," he said. "The faculty and staff in the department are the greatest, which has made it more difficult to leave and pursue personal interests."
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