Jo
Rae Wright is stepping down on Friday as dean of Duke University's Graduate
School, a position she has held since July 2006.
She
has been battling breast cancer for several years and recently told Provost
Peter Lange her treatments had become "less predictable and more tiring. I have
spoken at length with Peter about this and we are in agreement. I will be
returning full-time to my faculty position in Cell Biology, where I will be
able to spend more time with my own two graduate students."
A
professor of cell biology, medicine and pediatrics, Wright served previously as
vice dean of basic science at Duke's School of Medicine. As graduate school
dean, she has overseen programs affecting more than 7,700 students pursuing graduate
and professional degrees at Duke. The school plays a central role in the
university's mission of advancing knowledge and educating the next generation
of teachers, scholars, researchers and professional leaders.
"Dean
Wright's departure is a real loss," Lange said. "She has been creative and
tireless in leading the Graduate School in new strategic directions,
restructuring its budget, developing new
programs to better position graduate students in the changing Ph.D. marketplace
and creating a vigorous and supportive board of visitors. Her energy, vision
and joy in the job will be sorely missed."
Lange said David Bell, senior associate
dean of the Graduate School, will serve as interim dean while the university
undertakes a search for Wright's successor, which will begin in the coming
weeks. Bell, a professor of French studies, was appointed associate dean of the
Graduate School in 2005 and became senior associate dean in 2006. He has been engaged in administering graduate programs, advising graduate and professional
students and assisting Wright in the school's strategic development.
"David has been a true
partner with me in leadership and strategic planning," Wright said. "The Graduate
School will be in good hands with him as interim dean."