Pitt Vice Provost to retire

The list of officials who will remain at Pitt became a little shorter today.

The list of officials who will remain at Pitt became a little shorter today.

Robert F. Pack, vice provost for academic planning and resources management, has decided to retire, said provost and senior vice chancellor James V. Maher. Pack’s departure will open up a third administrative spot at the provost or dean level at Pitt.

“I accepted Bob’s wish to retire with both regret and deep appreciation for his loyalty and passionate commitment to the University,” Maher said in an e-mail released by the University on Wednesday.

Pack’s announcement comes as the University searches for replacement for Maher, who planned to retire to a faculty position at the beginning of the fall semester—or as soon as a successor can be put in place.

The University is also locating a replacement for Interim Dean of the Honors College Steve Husted, who took the place of the late Glenn Alexander Stewart.

What is clear is that many in the University community will miss Pack’s dedication to Pitt. Chancellor Mark Nordenberg summed up what many in the University community felt after hearing the announcement.

“Everyone who cares about Pitt is in his debt,” Nordenberg said.

Pack has agreed to stay in his current position as the other replacement operations continue. He will work under a reduced workload throughout the fall semester, and the search for his replacement will under the leadership of the new provost.

Pack received both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in English from Pitt before serving as a member of the faculty and administration at Rutgers University. He returned to Pitt in 1993, taking the newly created position of vice provost for academic planning and resource management.

A replacement for Maher is expected from the University in the near future. Chancellor Mark Nordenberg has been given a final list of candidates.