May 6, 2003
Contact: Dr. David Soltz (509-963-1401/fax 509-963-2025/e-mail: soltzd@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Dr. David Soltz, Central Washington University
provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, has announced
that Dr. Wayne Quirk will take over as the university’s associate vice
president for graduate studies, research and continuing education on
Sept. 1.
“Dr. Quirk was selected from a very strong pool of five finalists
for the position,” Soltz says. “He has trained and worked in a variety
of university settings; from those with a focus on liberal arts, to a
major land-grant university, a medical campus and, most recently, a
regional comprehensive university.”
Quirk comes to Ellensburg from Minnesota State University (MSU),
Mankato, where he serves as director of the office of graduate studies
and research and a professor of speech, hearing and rehabilitation
services.
“He has an extensive and successful background in academic
leadership and an active and collaborative externally supported
research program,” Soltz adds. “Under his leadership, external grants
at MSU doubled between 2001 and 2002. Both as a faculty member and as
an administrator, he has made significant contributions to
undergraduate research, graduate education, faculty scholarship and
continuing education."
Quirk was selected from among the 27 candidates who applied during
a nationwide search. They were screened by a university search
committee, comprised of faculty and staff, chaired by Dr. Meghan
Miller, dean of the CWU College of the Sciences.
Quirk earned his Ph.D. in experimental psychology at Washington
State University, a master of science degree from Iowa State University
and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. In
addition, he participated in postdoctoral work at the University of
Michigan, supported by a fellowship from the National Institute of
Health.
Quirk will replace Dr. Richard Mack, who has served as associate
vice president for graduate studies, research and continuing education
on an interim basis since Aug. 2, 1999. Mack will return to a faculty
position within the university economics department.
