Patricia Beeson Named New Vice Provost For Graduate Studies at Pitt

PITTSBURGH—Patricia Beeson, associate dean for undergraduate studies in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Arts and Sciences (A&S), will become the University's new vice provost for graduate studies effective May 1, 2004, Pitt Provost James V. Maher has announced.

Beeson, who is also a professor of economics in A&S with a joint appointment in public policy in Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, will succeed Elizabeth U. Baranger, who has served Pitt for more than 40 years, the last 14 of them as graduate studies vice provost; Baranger , also a professor of physics and former A&S graduate studies dean, last June announced her decision to retire from the University at the end of the current academic year.

As A&S associate dean, Beeson, said Maher, "guided the implementation of an important new undergraduate curriculum that emphasizes a culture in which students are engaged with faculty in the scholarly activities of the University." She also was responsible for the provision of student services, including the A&S Advising Center and Academic Support Center, and she played a lead role in developing quantitative models of student enrollment, to ensure that quality instruction is available throughout the school to meet students' educational objectives and ambitions.

"I have great confidence in Dr. Beeson's academic, organizational, and research leadership, and I look forward to working closely with her," said Maher. "She is a worthy successor to Dr. Baranger and shares my commitment to the importance of graduate programs that engage in research and scholarly activities that advance learning and in the education of professional, master's, and doctoral students who will contribute significantly to their disciplines and professions. Her talent, energy, integrity, and commitment to excellence will help us to continue building on the University's existing strengths and priorities in graduate education."

Patricia Beeson earned the Bachelor of Science degree in economics at Oregon State University in 1977 and the Ph.D. degree in economics at the University of Oregon in 1983. She joined the Pitt faculty as an assistant professor of economics in 1983, was promoted to associate professor in 1990, and to full professor in 2000. She served Pitt's Department of Economics as director of graduate studies and as a member of its Graduate Committee before accepting her current position as Associate Dean in A&S. She has also served on the Provost's Advisory Committee on Women's Concerns.

Beeson has served on dozens of dissertation committees; students whose committees she has chaired are now pursuing academic careers at colleges and universities in this country and abroad. During her distinguished academic career, Beeson has provided regional and national leadership in urban economics, serving as the associate editor of the International Regional Science Review and as referee for all of the important scholarly journals in her field. Her research has been supported through grants and contracts from the Sloan Foundation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. She has a notable publication history, with articles and chapters appearing in such publications as the Journal of Urban Economics and Review of Economics and Statistics.

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12/16/03/mgc