Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies must find a new director as Roger Cooper steps down after six years in the position.
Cooper, who has been at OU since 2004, announced in an email to students and faculty members Monday night that he would step down June 30 in order to teach full-time.
“I enjoyed my time very much,” Cooper said. “I liked being involved with the whole of the school.”
He said working as a full-time instructor would allow him to work more with students.
“Working with students is my most pleasurable job,” Cooper said. “Doing my part in helping them find their passion — I don’t see that changing all that much.”
Cooper noted several reasons to teach, among them personal projects and working with students, but he also said one of the reasons he was stepping down involved OU’s continuing budget situation.
“I’m a person that tends to worry about a lot of things. Over time, it wears on me,” Cooper said. “That’s not a criticism; that’s the world we are existing in. But personally, I feel fatigued over time.”
In Cooper’s place, Eric Williams, an assistant professor, has been tapped as interim director, said Heather Krugman, director of Operations and Strategic Planning in the Scripps College of Communication.
Williams will serve from July 1 of this year until June 3, 2012, while a replacement is found. Cooper said he would meet with Williams regularly to aid in the transition and he wanted it to be “as smooth as possible.”
“Now what happens is the faculty and dean will consult about the type and nature of the search,” Krugman said.
She added it wasn’t yet clear whether the search committee would limit its search within OU or would extend beyond the university.
“I would guess with Dean Shepherd leaving as well, we’ll wait to see an interim dean candidate to see how to proceed,” Krugman said.
Media Arts and Studies professors said they thought highly of Cooper and his leadership.
“He is the most sincere, genuine person I’ve ever worked with, and he has provided great leadership for the School of Media Arts and Studies through some rough seas,” said Frederick Lewis, an associate professor in the program.
“Roger is also a compassionate colleague, and I know we will find ways to collaborate on future projects that will benefit our students.”
Joseph Slade, a professor in the school, said he thought Cooper was particularly good at working with everyone in the program.
“I thought he was a terrific leader,” Slade said. “… He’s particularly good with the different constituencies, not just the faculty but students and staff and possible donors.”
Slade praised Cooper’s ability to engage a variety of people in the program.
“He’s been setting up employment opportunities for students,” Slade said. “And generally he’s been very supportive of faculty.”
Cooper is the 13th OU leader to step down from a position this year. Among the other departures are a vice president, three assistant vice presidents, an executive dean, five deans and two department directors.
This week alone, Dean of OU’s Chillicothe Campus Donna Burgraff stepped down and Dean of OU’s Eastern Campus Rich Greenlee filed papers for early retirement.
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