Caltech Has A New Provost

Stolper, whose research is aimed at understanding the origin and evolution of igneous rocks on Earth and other planets, will start his duties on August 1, 2007, subject to the formal approval of the Board of Trustees later this month.

In endorsing Stolper's appointment, Kent Kresa, chairman of the board, noted: "Through his service as division chair and interim provost, the members of the Board of Trustees have come to admire Ed Stolper's unique combination of energetic leadership and focused dedication to the Institute's academic and research mission, as well as the depth of his commitment to Caltech's faculty and students. I am positive that he will be an inspirational chief academic officer for Caltech, and the trustees look forward to working with him as he assumes his new responsibilities."

Stolper has been a member of the Caltech community for 28 years. He arrived on campus as an assistant professor of geology in 1979, having received his PhD that same year in geological sciences from Harvard. He was promoted to associate professor in 1982 and to professor of geology in 1983. In 1990 he was named the William E. Leonhard Professor of Geology. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including election to the National Academy of Sciences in 1994.

In addition to his active research program, Stolper has held a number of significant administrative roles at the Institute. In a letter to the campus community announcing Stolper's acceptance of the position, Caltech President Jean-Lou Chameau said that Stolper had proved himself to be an "effective and visionary leader." Stolper served Caltech as interim provost in 2004 and as chair of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences for 10 years (1994-2004). Added Chameau: "Ed is committed to the continued excellence of Caltech's educational and research programs, and, as many of you already know, he is an effective and eloquent advocate for students, faculty, and staff. The search committee noted that Ed was remarkably effective at recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding faculty, and at engaging the faculty in promoting diversity." -Source: http://today.caltech.edu/