Blase's team in the Provost's Office will include Professor of Music Richard Freedman as associate provost for curricular development and support and Professor of Biology Rob Fairman as associate provost for faculty development and support.
Frances Rose Blase, associate professor of chemistry, has been named provost of Haverford College, effective July 1. Blase will replace Kimberly Benston, Francis B. Gummere Professor of English, who is becoming President of the College.
“I never dreamed of serving in college administration,” says Blase.“I was so happy being an organic chemist, teaching students, working with them in the lab, doing my research. But then Kim asked me to serve as associate provost, and working beside him—a brilliant, thoughtful, creative, fair-minded colleague—over the past two years has been an amazing experience. Having the opportunity to collaborate with him again leading the college is another amazing, unexpected opportunity.”
Blase has taught at the College for the past 24 years and, for the last two, has been associate provost for curricular development and support during Benston's term as provost. In that position she chaired the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, worked with the Institutional Research Department, supervised the hiring of interim and part-time faculty, supported departmental external reviews, and oversaw the mentoring of new faculty. Blase also acted as the Provost's Office liaison to the Office of Academic Resources, Athletics, and the Registrar, and engaged with budgeting processes.
“Given her deep and varied experiences during her tenure here, and her commitment to our educational and scholarly mission, I am confident that she will be a strong partner for me, faculty and staff, senior staff, the Board, and other constituents of the College in the years ahead,” says Benston.
Blase is an organic chemistry researcher whose work focuses on the enantioselective synthesis of small molecular entities that are isolated from natural sources and display antimicrobial activity through novel mechanisms of action. She previously served as chair of the chemistry department, chair of the Admissions Committee, and director of the Mellon Tri-Co Faculty Forum Grant, as well as a member of the KINSC Steering Committee, EPC, the Diversity Initiatives Group, Academic Council, and the Task Force on Academic Enrichment. In her new role as the College's chief academic officer, she will be charged with augmenting Haverford's reputation both nationally and internationally.
“Having had the privilege of serving with Fran in the Provost's Office these past two years, I know that she possesses the full range of qualities and talents required of a successful provost,” says Benston.“Fran's experience, wisdom, vision, and creativity––and, yes, sense of humor––all ensure that she will excel in this role.”
Replacing Blase as associate provost for curricular development and support will be Professor of Music and John C. Whitehead Professor of Humanities Richard Freedman.“Rich is so smart, thinks deeply about things and is creative,” says Blase.“He'll bring all of those strengths to this position and will help build and sustain curricular initiatives and programs at the College.
Professor of Biology Rob Fairman will continue in his role as associate provost for faculty development and support.
“What I'm most looking forward to,” says Blase of becoming provost,“is helping to move Haverford forward and helping the faculty thrive, which helps the students and the larger institution thrive.”
