Dean Mann reveals he's stepping down

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- What started out as a career in teaching French at Westminster in 1983 turned into a career detour that benefited the student body for many years. In 1989,  Dr. Jesse Mann was asked to take on an administrative role within the Academic Affairs Department as associate dean. This then led to the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean in 2003. 

However, that is all about to change as Mann announces his plans to step down from his role in Academic Affairs and return to the classroom in the fall of 2014.  He'll step down at the end of the fiscal year. He will take a sabbatical and then return to teaching.

He explained his decision was about timing.

“It’s as good a time as any to make a change.”

He hopes to slow down a bit from a year round schedule as dean, and to return to his first love and passion of teaching French. He said he’s looking forward to a quieter and simpler pace in life, and becoming a brand new grandfather certainly played a part in the whole idea of having more personal time.

Dean Mann at the 2012 graduation ceremonies. He has the duty of announcing each graduate's name during commencement.

Mann readily admits that his seven month old granddaughter, Camille, is a compelling reason to free up his schedule. Traveling to France and visiting longtime friends there, as was done in the first years of teaching at Westminster, is something he looks forward to as well.

Mann is a New Wilmington resident along with his wife, Vicki, who teaches music at Westminster.  The transition back to the role of French professor will allow him to spend more time in his new position as grandfather.

President Rick Dorman says work is underway to create a search committee to begin the task of finding a new dean. He has explained to the faculty and administration staff that the search will look for candidates outside of the Westminster community.  The committee's work begins in October.

Dorman revealed in his Campus Download e-mail on Thursday that he has asked Dr. Thomas Courtice, President Emeritus of Ohio Wesleyan University to lead the committee.  The effort will also use a search consultant, AGB Search.  Faculty chair Dr. Terri Lenox will lead the committee on campus.