WMU News

Four candidates for library dean visit campus

March 21, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- Four candidates vying for the title dean of libraries at Western Michigan University will visit the campus during the next two weeks (March 26 through April 5).

Each of the four finalists for the position will give a public presentation on "The Future of the Academic Library in the Electronic Age" at 4 p.m. in the Lee Honors College Lounge on the day of his or her visit.

Candidates and the dates of their visits

Dr. Robert Holley, Monday, March 26. Since 1999, Holley has been serving as interim dean of Wayne State University Libraries, where he has been a member of the library faculty since 1988. He also has held library posts at the University of Utah and Yale University. He studied at the University of Lyon in France and earned a bachelor's degree from Xavier University, a doctoral degree in French Language and Literature from Yale and a master's degree in library science from Columbia University.

Dr. Sohair W. Elbaz, Wednesday, March 28. Since 1992, Elbaz has been dean of libraries at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Prior to being named dean, she worked as library director and interim director of libraries. She also has held marketing and information technology positions in Egypt, working for government, academia and private industry. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Cairo University, a master's degree in library and information science from the Catholic University of America and a doctoral degree in library and information management from Simmons College.

Dr. Delmus E. Williams, Monday April 2. Williams is dean of the University of Akron Libraries, a position he has held since 1991. He also has held administrative positions in the library systems at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, Western Illinois University and Washington and Lee University. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond, a master's degree in library science from the University of Kentucky and a doctoral degree in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Stephen Paul Foster, Thursday, April 5. Foster has served as associate dean of
libraries at Central Michigan University since 1996 and has held administrative posts
in that library system since 1990. Previously, he held positions at the University of
Arkansas Libraries, the Missouri Library Network Corp., Saint Louis University Law
Library and WMU libraries. He earned a bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State
University; two master's degrees, including one in library science, from WMU; and a
doctoral degree from Saint Louis University.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 616 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu

http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news