News Article

Gonzaga Academic Vice President Stephen Freedman will be leaving the university on July 31 to become senior vice president and chief academic officer at Fordham University in New York City, Gonzaga President Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., announced Thursday (April 26).

Freedman came to Gonzaga in May 2002. During his tenure, Freedman oversaw a period of significant enrollment increases and faculty growth, and facilitated communication among the university’s various constituencies. Freedman helped establish a revitalized faculty evaluation process, instituted a comprehensive outcomes assessment program, enhanced the university’s academic programs and instituted a vibrant and distinctive on-line education program.

“We are happy that Stephen’s many talents have been recognized and have been rewarded by this opportunity at Fordham,” Rev. Spitzer said. “We wish him all the best and we know he will do an excellent job there.”

“I feel fortunate and very proud to have been a part of this wonderful Gonzaga community,” Freedman said. “Gonzaga holds a very special place in my heart, and I’ve come to love the people here. Fordham is a very complex institution, which will provide me with great new challenges. But I will miss the people here.”

Rev. Spitzer is expected to appoint an Academic Vice President search committee in late August.

Rev. Spitzer also announced the appointment of Thayne McCulloh, Gonzaga vice president for administration and planning, as interim academic vice president, to serve until July 2008. Prior to his appointment as vice president for administration and planning in 2004, McCulloh had served Gonzaga as associate academic vice president (2002-2004), dean of student financial services (1998-present), dean of student academic services (1997-1998), assistant dean of students (1994-1997), director of housing and residence life (1993-1994), and coordinator of residence life (1990-1992). He is an assistant professor in the psychology department, most recently having developed a course on cross-cultural psychology. McCulloh holds a Ph.D. in experimental social psychology from Oxford University, and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and sociology from Gonzaga.

“Dr. McCulloh has a vast amount of administrative experience,” Rev. Spitzer said. “He has played a fundamental role in the development of our financial aid and enrollment strategies, and chaired our most recent accreditation self-study for the Northwest Commission on Colleges (2004), which resulted in seven commendations for the university. He has overseen the creation of a new Vision Statement for Gonzaga, and has spearheaded the creation, writing and editing of the university’s new strategic plan. He is a respected administrator who has excellent relationships with people throughout the institution.”

McCulloh also serves as an evaluator for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and serves on its Standards Review Committee.

Joan Allbery, who has served Gonzaga 38 years in the field of technology, will handle some of McCulloh’s current assignments and fill in as interim vice president, overseeing administration and planning, human resources, information technology and disability resources. Most recently, Allbery served as director of central computing and network support services, and interim chief information officer.

In the interim, Vice President for Finance Charles Murphy will again assume responsibility for plant services, which he had until 2004 when the administration reorganized. In the interim, Julie McCulloh, dean of admission, will report directly to Rev. Spitzer.

“We expect the transition to be smooth,” said Rev. Spitzer. “We have outstanding people, all of whom have been here for a significant time, who will step in and keep the organization moving forward.”

For more information, contact Dale Goodwin, GU public relations director, at (509) 323-6133 or via e-mail.