The Deans’ List T H R E E N E W F AC U LT Y A P P O I N T M E N T S
BRIAN CROWLEY
T
NICOLE PELLATON
Kim
Cosgrove
Salcedo
BRIAN CROWLEY
he first floor of Jeremiah Smith Hall has undergone a changing of the guard, of sort. On July 1, History Instructor Ron Kim became the new dean of faculty, after Science Instructor Kathleen Curwen’s five-year appointment concluded. Modern Languages Instructor Rosanna Salcedo also joined that office as the newly appointed associate dean of faculty. Across the marble floor, in the Dean of Students Office, Science Instructor A.J. Cosgrove P’10 began his new role as dean of residential life, a post previously filled by Religion Instructor Russell Weatherspoon ’01, ’03, ’08 (Hon.); P’92, P’95, P’97, P’01, who had also completed his term. Three separate search committees were formed for these important positions, led by Principal Tom Hassan ’56, ’66, ’70, ’06 (Hon.); P’11, who says of Kim, “Those who have worked with Ron cite his devotion to the faculty and students, as well as his keen intellect, thoroughness, and full engagement to do the best for PEA and its community.” Kim came to the Academy in 1994. In addition to teaching the United States History sequence and several courses on the history of modern and pre-modern Asian nations, he chaired the departmental committee that created the non-Western history requirement. In recognition of his teaching, Kim was the recipient of the Rupert Radford Faculty Fellowship in 2009 and the Charles E. Ryberg Teaching Award in 1998. As associate dean of faculty from 2004–09, Kim implemented new strategies for faculty recruitment that resulted in doubling the number of people of color on the faculty in just two years. He oversaw the school’s 12 domestic and international off-campus programs and the Academy’s adult and student summer programs. Kim also saw firsthand “the amount of time, energy and personal sacrifice required” for the dean of faculty position. “The people who most influenced me at Exeter—Steve Smith, Bruce Pruitt, Jack Herney, Rick Mahoney, and others—were all committed to serving the school and did whatever was asked of them,” Kim says. “Their service shaped the Exeter that I have known and have benefited from, and thus it seemed only fitting that I do the same. I [also] believe in Tom Hassan. No one cares about the school more or works harder. It’s hard to say no to that.” Kim has also served as a dormitory faculty member and dorm head, coincidentally in the same dorms and at the same times as Cosgrove, who came to Exeter in 1993. Cosgrove lived in Peabody and Abbot halls until 1998 and then served as dorm head in Ewald Hall from 1999–05. Hassan says it is “A.J.’s involvement with students both in and out of the classroom [that] has effectively prepared him to assume this student-centered position” of dean of residential life. Cosgrove served as associate dean of students for PEA’s Summer School, where he dealt with disciplinary matters while teaching in and chairing the Science Department. In 1999 he developed a Robotics course that he continues to teach during the regular session. For his work at the Academy, he has been honored with both the Brown Family and the Charles E. Ryberg Teaching awards. Cosgrove’s coaching experience dates back to his earliest days at the school, and he has coached golf, hockey, basketball and soccer during his tenure. A longtime member of the Exeter community and parent of a recent Exeter graduate, Cosgrove, Hassan says, “will bring to the job a distinct knowledge of Exeter’s student culture and an informed view of the school’s responsibility to the young people in our charge.” Like Cosgrove, Salcedo’s experience includes being a dorm head and holding leadership positions within the Summer School, where she was the dean of students and director of admissions. In the latter role, Salcedo traveled around the country to recruit students and increase awareness about the Academy among other schools and organizations. Similarly, her role as associate dean of faculty will focus largely on faculty recruitment and support, including assisting with orientation and mentoring both interns and first-year faculty members as they learn to negotiate a residential school setting. Salcedo brings 10 years of experience as a faculty member to bear on her new position.
SUMMER 2011
The Exeter Bulletin
5