University President Mary Sue Coleman and Univesity Provost Teresa Sullivan named Ronald Zernicke the new dean of the School of Kinesiology on Monday.
Zernicke’s appointment, which is contingent on approval from the University’s Board of Regents, will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010.
Zernicke has been the director of the University’s Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center since 2007 in addition to being a faculty member in the the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the School of Kinesiology and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
In a press release issued earlier this week, Sullivan said she was very happy with Zernicke’s appointment and looked forward to working with him.
“President Coleman and I are extremely pleased that Dr. Zernicke is assuming the leadership of the School of Kinesiology at this time of dramatic change within the study of human movement,” Sullivan said.
Zernicke’s appointment comes after two rounds of interviews that took place after Beverly Ulrich, the former dean of the School of Kinesiology, stepped down in 2008.
In response to the selection, Ulrich wrote in a statement that she is very happy with Zernicke’s appointment.
“He combines strong and visionary leadership with a supportive and open rapport with colleagues, faculty and alumni,” Ulrich said.
Zernicke holds a honorary doctorate of science degree from the University of Waterloo, Ontario in 2008 and a Distinguished Teaching Award from UCLA.
“He represents the whole package,” said Ken Warner, dean of the School of Public Health, in a press release, “Zernicke was by far the best candidate. He’s a respected researcher with a most impressive publication record.”
Warner also said that Zernicke “comes equipped with loads of relevant experience.”
With his new appointment, Zernicke said his major goals will include developing a strategic plan for the school and recruiting more quality faculty and students. Zernicke said he also has plans to make the School of Kinesiology more visible nationally and internationally.
“The University of Michigan has both the breadth and depth to be outstanding in many different areas, particularly in the School of Kinesiology. I’m excited to be a part of it,” Zernicke said. “There is a tremendous resource there and I don’t think the full message is getting out.”
Sullivan said she is confident these goals will be met under Zernicke’s leadership.
“We are confident that he will strengthen the school’s international reputation of excellence in providing innovative education for the next generation of movement science professionals,” she said.