Thomas Tunks was named interim provost Wednesday for the 2006-07 school year. Tunks replaces outgoing Provost Robert Blocker, who surprised university officials with his resignation on Monday.
Tunks is currently the associate provost for educational programs. He will take office on June 1 and will serve until a search committee selects a replacement.
“I feel honored, but I can’t say I’m particularly excited about it or worried about it,” Tunks said. “I know it’s going to be a lot of work.”
President R. Gerald Turner said in a statement Wednesday, “As a member of the Council of Deans and as a former interim dean, he has a deep understanding of the university’s schools. We are indeed fortunate that he can step into this role to provide seamless leadership in the Office of the Provost.”
Tunks said Turner asked him Monday evening to step into the provost’s job in an interim role. Before doing so, Turner discussed the move with the Board of Trustees and various deans across the university.
Tunks said his year as provost will have the university continue to move forward.
“We have built up way too much momentum to let anything stop us,” Tunks said.
He said the year will be a mix of “business as usual” and the beginning of one or two new initiatives.
“We will not sit still,” he said.
Tunks says that he has a strong sense of confidence about the future at the school, despite the turnover occurring at the top levels of the university.
“We have very capable people who know how to do their jobs and keep this school running,” Tunks said.
Tunks will work with Ellen Jackofsky, associate provost for faculty and administrative affairs, and Ellen Pryor, who is in the newly created position of associate provost for honors and international programs. Pryor is responsible for the coordination of all SMU honors programs and international programs and initiatives.
Tunks said he will meet with the two shortly to determine how the office will work together over the next year.
As for Tunks’ teaching position, he said he is not sure if he will have to take a year off.
“My first inclination is to keep teaching, but I will assess everything carefully,” Tunks said. “I’m ready to make that sacrifice but only if I have to.”
Tunks said there has been no progress on the creation of a search committee to replace Blocker. University officials have been in Board of Trustees meetings since Wednesday and will begin work on the committee next week.
Tunks said SMU will be one of the first to post an opening for the 2006-07 school year, so it should be able to attract a diverse and qualified group of candidates.
