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October 5, 1999

ULM Provost Requests Return to Classroom

University of Louisiana at Monroe President Lawson L. Swearingen, Jr., announced today that he has accepted the request of Dr. Arlen Zander to step down from his post as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs so that Zander may return to the classroom.

Zander will remain in his present position while the University conducts a national search to find his successor.

"My decision is based on a combination of personal and professional factors," said Zander who became Vice President for Academic Affars at ULM in 1989 and has served as Provost since 1991. "The personal ones include the fact that I need to pay more attention to my health, which has not been what I would like for it to be the last two years. Professionally, I have a genuine desire to teach -- I love it, I miss it, and I have only a few years left before retirement to do it."

Swearingen said that Zander has distinguished himself at ULM, particularly in the area of Academic Affairs.

"During Dr. Zander's tenure as Provost, a number of initiatives have come forward which have helped position ULM for even greater success in the coming years," Swearingen said. "Our strategic planning efforts, the recent successful SACS review, our move toward selective admissions, achieving recognition of status through the new institutional name and the reorganization of the administrative structure within Academic Affairs to include the position of Vice Provost -- all of these reflect his leadership and are to be commended."

"President Swearingen has been fully supportive of me and of my decision," Zander said. "In fact, he has been unfailingly supportive and patient during times of ill health for me and my family and understands my desire to teach a little more before I retire."

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