A search committee to identify a new dean for the School of Nursing has been appointed by President William R. Brody and convened by Provost Steven Knapp, who is serving as its chairman.

The committee anticipates identifying a candidate by spring to be in place before the start of the 2002-2003 academic year.

"Obviously, we're seeking an outstanding colleague and professional to serve as dean," says Knapp, "someone who can both preserve and extend the school's excellence in research, teaching and service to the nation."

Sue Donaldson, who had led the school since 1994, stepped down in June to return to research and teaching. Martha Hill assumed the post of interim dean on July 1 and will serve until Donaldson's successor is appointed.

The 12-person search committee began meeting in October to strategize the nationwide search and to define desired attributes of the candidates. Its deliberations are well under way, Knapp says, and are already yielding "creative approaches and strategies for identifying a stellar pool of candidates."

Nominations are currently being solicited from faculty, staff and students. Recommendations should be brought to Knapp's attention by e-mail sent to Provost@jhu.edu, a special address created for this purpose.

Members of the search committee from the School of Nursing are Jerilyn Allen, professor; Dominique Ashen, alumna and master's student; Maryann Fralic, professor; Victoria Mock, associate professor; Gayle Page, associate professor; Linda Pugh, associate professor; and Benita Walton-Moss, assistant professor.

Other committee members are Gary Dunn, alumnus and doctoral student, The Johns Hopkins Hospital; Karen Haller, vice president for nursing and patient care, The Johns Hopkins Hospital; David Nichols, professor and vice dean for education, School of Medicine; James Yager, professor and executive associate dean for academic affairs, Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Edgar Roulhac, vice provost for academic services.