Harrington Named Dean of Physical Sciences and Engineering

NEW PALTZ — After an extensive, nationwide search, John P. Harrington was selected as SUNY New Paltz’ dean of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

Harrington will come to New Paltz from the University of South Alabama, where he has chaired the chemistry department and served as a professor and the senior scientist for that university’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center for more than 10 years.

Before joining the University of South Alabama, Harrington was a chemistry professor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and conducted research at Duke University’s Marine Biomedical Center and Woods Hole’s Marine Biological Laboratory.

“John’s breadth of experience and knowledge in the sciences is a clear strength for our School of Physical Sciences and Engineering,” said SUNY New Paltz Provost David Lavallee. “In addition to his academic qualifications, he is a proven manager and leader who has successfully expanded research and learning opportunities through mentorship and grants.”

In addition to stewarding more than 25 grants, Harrington has written more than 50 publications and presented more than 80 papers at scientific conferences and meetings.

“The position suits my experience,” Harrington said, noting that as South Alabama’s chemistry chair, he led a growing department. “The faculty carry the burden of the overall program and the dean’s role is to facilitate the changes and support the faculty.”

While Harrington succeeds retired Dean of Engineering Owen Hill, the university’s ongoing realignment of schools will give Harrington responsibility over a larger range of academic and research programs. Included in the School of Physical Sciences and Engineering are the chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, mathematics, and physics departments.

On bringing together departments from different schools, Harrington says he will optimize the strength of each department. A top priority will be to “get departments together to find common linkages and interact frequently.”

Harrington will arrive on campus in mid-January, and will be joined by his wife Mary Ellen. They have two sons, John, who expects to pursue a graduate degree at the University of California, Davis, and Keith, who is in the process of selecting a school to study architecture.NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of John Harrington is available online at http://www.newpaltz.edu/news/images/harrington.html