Although Francille Firebaugh had announced earlier she would retire this summer as dean of the College of Human Ecology, she has now agreed to stay on for as much as a year, if necessary, as the search committee continues to look for a replacement.
Three candidates had been in the running until one withdrew just a few days before a scheduled visit to campus. The search committee reported last week that it will continue to pursue the search so that it may recommend three finalists to the president.
"I am very pleased and extraordinarily grateful that Dean Firebaugh will serve for up to a year longer, should that prove necessary. This will ensure that there is no hesitation in the momentum that she has led the college in creating," said Provost Don M. Randel.
Firebaugh, who has served as dean of the College of Human Ecology for a decade, was to have stepped down from the post June 30.
Two candidates will continue to be given strong consideration: Charles Brainerd, professor of educational psychology at the University Arizona, and S. Kay Obendorf, professor of textiles and apparel at Cornell. Eileen Kennedy, acting deputy undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was the candidate who withdrew.
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