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Edward F. "Ned" Brooks has been named the University's acting provost,
Chancellor Michael Hooker announced April 5.
Brooks, who has been associate provost since 1997, will fill in, effective
immediately, for Provost Richard J. Richardson, who is recuperating at home
from a March 24 heart attack.
"I am grateful to Ned Brooks and his colleagues in the provost's office for
all they already have done since Provost Richardson's illness," Hooker said.
"It is a strong team, and I have every confidence in Ned's leadership skills to
effectively carry on the important work of that office until Dick returns. Both
the provost and his doctors say he is progressing well with his recovery, but
we both agree that this acting appointment will ensure that he can remain
focused on what's most important: taking care of himself now so that he can
come back strong later."
Richardson was admitted to UNC Hospitals March 24 for treatment and returned
home March 27. Hooker said that Richardson expected to return to work by June
1. Meanwhile,
the provost will be in daily contact with the chancellor, Brooks and other
University officials as appropriate, Hooker said.
The provost serves as chief academic officer. His office oversees all
academic operations including 13 colleges and schools, the University Library,
a variety of centers, and several cultural and educational units.
Brooks has been responsible for day-to-day functions with deans and center
directors in the Division of Health Affairs since September 1997 when the
provost's office was reorganized to streamline operations. Brooks, who has been
at Carolina since 1972, was associate vice provost for health affairs from 1987
to 1997 and assistant vice chancellor for health affairs from 1986 to 1987. In
1995, he received the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award, a top
University employee honor.
Brooks served 13 years as associate director of the University's Health
Services Research Center and remains an adjunct associate professor of public
health. The New York native holds a doctorate in public health from Carolina, a
master's of business administration degree from Cornell University and a
bachelor's degree from Bates College.
Richardson took the provost's position on a permanent basis in April 1996
after having served in an interim capacity for nearly a year. A faculty member
since 1969, he holds the Burton Craige professorship in the Department of
Political Science, which he chaired for a decade. He also is a former acting
vice president in the UNC system and led Carolina's Bicentennial Observance.
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