Office of the Provost

Announcement

December 16, 2003

Dear Colleagues:

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Patricia Beeson has accepted my offer to become the University of Pittsburgh’s Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, effective May 1, 2004. Dr. Beeson, Professor of Economics in Arts and Sciences with a joint appointment in Public Policy in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in Arts and Sciences, earned her bachelor's degree in Economics at Oregon State University and her PhD in Economics at the University of Oregon. As Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, she guided the implementation of an important new undergraduate curriculum that emphasizes a culture in which students are engaged with faculty in the scholarly activities of the University; was responsible for the provision of student services, including the A&S Advising Center and Academic Support Center; and played a lead role in developing quantitative models of student enrollment to ensure that quality instruction is available throughout the school to meet the educational objectives and ambitions of the students.

Professor Beeson joined the University of Pittsburgh as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics in 1983, was promoted to Associate Professor in 1990 and to Full Professor in 2000. There she served as Director of Graduate Studies and on its Graduate Committee before accepting the position as Associate Dean in Arts and Sciences. She has also served on the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Concerns. Dr. Beeson has served on dozens of dissertation committees; students whose committees she has chaired are now pursuing academic careers at colleges and universities in this country and abroad. During her distinguished academic career, Dr. Beeson has provided regional and national leadership in urban economics, serving as the associate editor of the International Regional Science Review and as referee for all of the important scholarly journals in her field. Her research has been supported through grants and contracts from the Sloan Foundation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. She has a notable publication history, with articles and chapters appearing in such publications as the Journal of Urban Economics, and Review of Economics and Statistics.

I have great confidence in Dr. Beeson’s academic, organizational, and research leadership. Dr. Beeson shares my commitment to the importance of graduate programs that engage in research and scholarly activities that advance learning and in the education of professional, masters, and doctorate students who will contribute significantly to their disciplines and professions. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Beeson. Her talent, energy, integrity, and commitment to excellence will help us continue to build on the University’s existing strengths and priorities in graduate education.

Sincerely,

James V. Maher

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