Jem Spectar Named President Of University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

PITTSBURGH-Jem Spectar, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Oregon University, has been named president of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, effective July 1, 2007.

Prior to becoming provost at Western Oregon University, Spectar was associate provost for academic affairs at the University of Scranton, director of studies at Princeton University, and assistant dean of students at the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California.

"Provost Maher and I look forward to working with Dr. Spectar and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown community to ensure the continuing success of the campus under his capable leadership. Jem Spectar is a visionary leader and celebrated teacher," said Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. "He has the skills and experience necessary to build effectively upon the strengths of our Johnstown campus and to enrich the lives of students, faculty, staff, and administrators."

"As a senior administrator at several institutions of higher education, Dr. Spectar has established a leadership style marked by an emphasis on consultation, collaboration, and transparency," said Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor James V. Maher. "His outstanding academic and administrative leadership as well as his capacity for fund raising, friend-making, and fostering positive community relations make him the ideal president for our Johnstown campus."

Spectar also was an associate professor of law at the University of La Verne, a lecturer in political science at Princeton University, and a professor of political science at the University of Scranton. He was awarded the 1998 Professor of Distinction Award at La Verne College of Law and the 1995 Professor of the Year, Legal Studies, at the University of LaVerne.

Spectar has published numerous scholarly articles on international law and made presentations at professional conferences on issues involving human rights, the global commons, and international health. In addition to his membership in a number of professional organizations, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Conference of Academic Deans.

Spectar received the B.A. degree in international studies in 1989 from the University of La Verne; the M.B.A. degree in 1989 from Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Md.; the M.A. degree in 1992 at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; the J.D. degree in 1992 at the University of Maryland Law School; and the M.A. degree in politics in 1997 and the Ph.D. degree in political science from Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, Calif.

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3/20/07/tmw