News Release

Richard McCarty Named Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences

McCarty, a double-degree graduate of Johns Hopkins, will take office July 1. He will serve until a dean is appointed to succeed Steven Knapp, who has been dean since 1994 and became provost of the university in January 1996.

"Dick McCarty is someone I have relied on for advice since I came to Johns Hopkins," Knapp said. "I have valued his contributions as chairman of one of the largest departments in the School of Arts and Sciences, on committees of the school and on the search committee for a new dean. I know he will serve the school ably in this new role as interim dean."

McCarty, 59, who graduated from Johns Hopkins in 1960 and earned his Ph.D. from the university in 1964, returned to Hopkins as chairman of biology in 1990 after 24 years on the faculty at Cornell University. In awarding him its Charles F. Kettering Award in 1994, the American Society of Plant Physiologists called McCarty a "central figure" in the remarkable advances made in the study of photosynthesis and photosynthetic energy conversion since the 1960s.

McCarty, who said he will not be a candidate for the permanent dean's position, said his decision to accept the interim post involved "a certain amount of payback" to Johns Hopkins.

"My eight years as a student in the '50s and '60s and the last seven years on the faculty have been wonderful," he said. "I see this as a way to make a contribution. As an alumnus and a faculty member, I think I can be an effective spokesman and advocate for the entire school."

Since becoming provost, Knapp has until now continued to serve also as dean of the Krieger School. Arthur F. Davidsen, professor of physics and astronomy, has overseen day-to-day operations of the school for the past six months with the title of interim dean of the faculty.

Knapp said Davidsen had agreed when accepting the interim post to serve in the dean's office through June, in the hope that a permanent dean would be chosen by then. The search committee decided recently, however, to reopen the nominating process, and Davidsen is going on sabbatical July 1. Knapp said he decided now is the time for him to end his dual role as provost and dean and appoint an interim successor as dean.

"I greatly appreciate Arthur Davidsen's service over the past six months," Knapp said. "He interrupted a very productive and distinguished faculty career to pinch hit in the dean's office, and the school is grateful to him."