Finalists named for human ecology dean

Two national experts in the field of family studies have been named the finalists for dean of the School of Human Ecology.

Robin A. Douthitt has been acting dean of the school since 1999. Douthitt, a professor of consumer science, specializes in behavior research. She has been on the SoHE faculty since 1986.

Last year, Douthitt was named the Vaughn Bascom Professor of Women in Philanthropy, a title she will hold until 2004. She also received the 2000 Wisconsin Alumni Association Cabinet 99 Recognition Award this fall. In 1996 she won the Chancellor’s Certificate of Appreciation for her work in establishing the UW–Madison Women Faculty Mentoring Program. In addition, she has served on the UW Athletic Board (1991-99), the Faculty Senate (1987-91) and has been a participant in several of the university’s minority student mentoring programs (1995-99). Her research interests span consumers’ perceptions of risk related to biotechnology, the cost of raising children, the value of volunteer work, the role of university mentoring and more.

James Arthur Blackburn currently is dean of the School of Social Welfare at UW-Milwaukee, a position he has held since 1992. A UW–Madison alumnus (M.S.S.W., 1977 and Ph.D., 1980), Blackburn was recognized in 1999 with a Distinguished Alumni Award from the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology. His research interests include intellectual performance in old age, alcohol use among elderly women, the role of grandmothers in three-generational families, the impact of Wisconsin Works (W-2) on Milwaukee’s African-American community, and other topics.

The search committee looked for candidates nationwide, according to Karen Holden, committee chair and a professor of consumer science with a joint appointment in the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.

“The committee was very pleased to be able to forward these strong candidates for this important leadership position,” she says.

In coming weeks the finalists will interview with the UW–Madison chancellor, provost and other university administrators. A decision is expected by the end of this year.