Board of Trustees names Orr to interim SBGS dean position
Campus Times
May 21, 1999
Verne Orr, a former United States Secretary of the Air Force, was appointed
to serve as the interim dean of the University of La Verne's School of Business
and Global Studies (SBGS) earlier this month.
Orr's appointment to ULV was made possible through the efforts of President
Stephen Morgan. He said the Pasadena businessman will temporarily replace
Dr. William Relf, who announced his resignation as dean of the SBGS on April
1.
"Choosing an interim is usually not a search where we ask for applications.
It's usually that we ask someone if they would be willing to serve in this
interim position, and that's how we approached Verne Orr," said Dr.
Morgan. "I asked Verne Orr if he would be interested in filling that
position."
Dr. Morgan said he was introduced to Orr through a mutual friend, and
that he was immediately impressed with Orr's background. He also said that,
although Orr has "had no affiliation previously with the University
of La Verne," he was "very impressed with his credentials and
his level of experience."
Therefore, earlier this month, Dr. Morgan said he spoke to Orr about
the possibility of him serving as part of the University. Dr. Morgan admitted
that Orr was his first candidate and said, "He [Orr] was very interested
in taking this position. He felt it would be a unique opportunity for him."
At the May 8 Board of Trustees meeting, Dr. Morgan presented his nomination
for Orr as the interim dean for the SBGS, and the Board approved his nomination,
appointing Orr to the position.
Among the areas of Orr's resume, Dr. Morgan said that Orr has served
as deputy director of the 1980 Ronald Reagan-George Bush campaign and director
of the Reagan-Jimmy Carter transition team from 1980 to 1981. Orr has been
director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, as well as foreman
of the Los Angeles County Grand Jury.
"He really had a breadth of management and leadership experience
both in private industry and in government," said Dr. Morgan. "I
thought, with that kind of experience, he would bring a lot to the table
as interim dean."
Dr. Morgan also said that Orr has no interest in becoming the permanent
dean of the SBGS, but that he will continue to serve as the School's temporary
dean until a permanent candidate is elected to fill the position.
"That's another strength, I think. He is not a candidate, he has
no interest in being a candidate," said Dr. Morgan, adding that a committee
composed of ULV faculty, administrators and Trustees has been established
to begin the search for a new SBGS dean. For the time being, however, Orr
is prepared to fill the temporary position.
Orr's term begins June 1 and will end as soon as the permanent dean
steps in to the picture.
"He is perfectly fine with that," Dr. Morgan said. "As
soon as the new person steps in, Verne Orr is ready to step out."
