Three University colleges will answer to a new leader starting this summer.The College of Engineering, the College of Music and Dramatic Arts and the School of the Coast and Environment have each hired a new dean.The LSU Board of Supervisors confirmed and approved the contracts for Richard Koubek, College of Engineering; Laurence Kaptain, College of Music and Dramatic Arts; and Christopher D’elia, School of the Coast and Environment at its January 22 meeting. “Each [new hire] have been in places where they know how to build strong programs and take us on the road to excellence,” said Chancellor Michael Martin. “Each one is desirable because they have ‘played in the big leagues’ before.”
Koubek is the head of Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. His appointment is effective March 1, 2009,  with a June 1, 2009 start date and has an initial salary of $275,000 on a fiscal year basis, according to his contract obtained by The Daily Reveille. Kaptain is the dean and professor at the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va. According to his contract, his appointment takes effect July 1, 2009 and he will receive $200,000 on a fiscal year basis.  Kaptain said he wants to be a “power listener,” learning the college’s strengths and gaining a feel for the faculty and students before making decisions in any direction.”The LSU College of Music and Dramatic Arts has a big leadership role for a wide geographic range,” he said. “People are looking to LSU for leadership … CMDA has a big responsibility, and I want to lead the college through this responsibility.”Christopher D’elia is the regional vice chancellor for academic affairs, research and graduate studies, director of the International Ocean Institute-USA. He is also an environmental science and policy and marine sciences professor at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. According to his contract, his appointment, effective July 1, 2009, has an initial salary of $200,000 per fiscal year and will not lead to tenure. “I want to see more of an identity built with the school,” D’elia said. “It’s critical that people start to recognize the name and the enormous power of LSU’s potential.”Provost Astrid Merget said since the School of the Coast and Environment is the youngest on campus, she would like to see its academic program enhanced and capitalize on its critical location on the Gulf Coast.The deans were chosen after undergoing a selection process that included a two-day on-campus interview process and multiple meetings with the chancellor and provost, Merget said.”We are just elated to have deans of that academic caliber,” she said. “Each one has proven himself in leading institutions and at the same time, excelling as scholars and teachers in their fields.”
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