Dr. Lance Grahn has stepped down as provost and vice president of academic affairs at UCA. Grahn plans to concentrate his future efforts on the classroom and on scholarly research in the History Department.
Dr. Steve Runge, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, has been named interim provost. Dr. Runge started the new post on Tuesday.
In a statement to the campus community, UCA President Tom Courtway stated that he and Grahn met on Feb. 27 to discuss the university’s future. Based upon the meeting, it was agreed that Grahn would no longer serve as provost.
“During his time as provost and in carrying out his duties, Dr. Grahn conducted himself professionally; worked tirelessly for the University, its faculty, staff and students; and adhered to very high standards,” Courtway stated.
Runge, 48, joined UCA as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology in 1991, earning the rank of Associate Professor in 1995 and the rank of Professor 2004. In 2003, he was appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Biology, with a subsequent appointment to the Chair’s position in 2004. He served in this capacity until 2009 when he was appointed as Interim Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and he assumed the position of Dean of the College in July 2010.
Dr. Runge is a 1986 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay where he majored in Biology, Chemistry and Human Adaptability (Humans in the Environment). He followed his undergraduate training with graduate work at The Ohio State University where he earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1991. Dr. Runge joined the faculty of UCA shortly after completing his Ph.D. studies.
Dr. Runge has developed and taught courses in molecular and cellular biology and he maintains an active research program studying cell death mechanisms in cultured breast cancer cells. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Arkansas STEM Coalition, as the UCA representative on the Arkansas INBRE Steering Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors for Life Long Learners, Inc.