Pulling up roots

Bradley W. Bateman, provost and professor of economics at Denison University since 2007, has been named as the 10th president of Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va. Bateman will begin his new duties at Randolph in July. Remarking on Bateman and his time at Denison, President Dale T. Knobel said, “Brad has a deep understanding of how differences in experience and perspective among students and professors are vital to fostering an effective liberal arts college. I am especially appreciative of his efforts that have helped Denison build a more broadly representative student body and faculty, and I am grateful for his work with organizations representing students of color and international students, and with groups supporting GLBTQA individuals and issues.” He added, “Brad is a passionate and articulate advocate for liberal education, and he will bring to Randolph College his clear vision about the relevance and value of residential liberal arts colleges today.” During his tenure at Denison, Bateman fostered conversations on the Denison campus that contributed to the work underway within the Denison faculty on undergraduate writing, faculty advising, and assessment of the entirety of the Denison learning experience within and without the classroom. He was successful in winning support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to initiate faculty conferences on the liberal arts at Denison, and, more recently, has been involved in efforts to find additional financial support for the Denison Museum and for the college’s performing arts programs. Prior to his post as Denison’s provost, Bateman was the associate dean of the college at Grinnell College in Iowa (2005-2007). After joining the Grinnell faculty in 1987, Bateman also served as the Gertrude B. Austin Professor of Economics, the chair of the Department of Economics, the acting director of the Center for Prairie Studies and the acting director for the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, International Relations and Human Rights. Earlier in his career, he was an assistant professor of economics at Simmons College, an instructor of economics with the University of Kentucky and an instructor of English and literature in Nigeria. Bateman holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Kentucky and a B.A., with honors, from Alma College. Knobel has appointed Associate Provost Kim Coplin, also an associate professor of physics, to step in as interim provost of Denison beginning July 1.