Dean Funk:
Same face, different job description
Audra Conard
Issue date: 9/10/01 Section: Features
When Dr. Robert Funk joined the campus as interim president last year, he believed the duration of his duties in Frederick, Maryland would last about a year.
That was until President-elect Ronald Volpe asked him to commit one more year to the college by stepping into the vacant vice president of academic affairs position. Funk accepted the job in June, following the departure of Co-deans Dr. David Hein and Dr. Paul Gowen.
Funk brings much experience to the vice presidency of academic affairs, having been academic dean of Stephens College, provost of Cornish College of the Arts and the interim president of four colleges, including Hood.
Funk’s new position includes working with department chairs, the Beneficial-Hodson library staff and the director of academic affairs in the development of curriculum. He also aids in the process of hiring new faculty and evaluating current faculty. Working with the Honor Code, aiding in the development of budget plans and assisting the president are also included in Funk’s job description.
On top of these duties, Funk has many goals for the well-being of the college’s academic community. “I hope to work closely with all of the departments to clearly define the programs we offer,” Funk said. “For instance, the communications department has the capability to offer a separate major in public relations, but currently there is only a concentration in the field. If it were to have a major of its own, the program would have a clearer definition,” he said.
Funk is also attempting to improve faculty salaries. “The salary for a full time professor at Hood is about $35,000, and for a single-income family, this hardly pays for expenses,” Funk said. “Our faculty is top quality, and they deserve an improvement in salary.” To achieve this goal, he will be working with the admissions office to enroll a larger freshman class. “Instead of raising tuition, our goal must be to increase the number of tuition-paying students,” Funk said.
Though Funk has willingly taken on the responsibilities of his new job, his position is temporary and will span two semesters. Funk indicated that the college thought it was best to bring in one new person at a time and this year that person was the president. Since Funk has previous experience at Hood, he will be able to assist Volpe as he is initiated into life at Hood.
Overall, Funk said he is pleased to serve the college community for one more year. “I am highly impressed with the people who come to Hood,” he said. “The students possess a motivation that is refreshing to see on a college campus. They understand the purpose of attending Hood,” he said.
Following the year as vice president of academic affairs, Funk said he may take time to enjoy his retirement.
That was until President-elect Ronald Volpe asked him to commit one more year to the college by stepping into the vacant vice president of academic affairs position. Funk accepted the job in June, following the departure of Co-deans Dr. David Hein and Dr. Paul Gowen.
Funk brings much experience to the vice presidency of academic affairs, having been academic dean of Stephens College, provost of Cornish College of the Arts and the interim president of four colleges, including Hood.
Funk’s new position includes working with department chairs, the Beneficial-Hodson library staff and the director of academic affairs in the development of curriculum. He also aids in the process of hiring new faculty and evaluating current faculty. Working with the Honor Code, aiding in the development of budget plans and assisting the president are also included in Funk’s job description.
On top of these duties, Funk has many goals for the well-being of the college’s academic community. “I hope to work closely with all of the departments to clearly define the programs we offer,” Funk said. “For instance, the communications department has the capability to offer a separate major in public relations, but currently there is only a concentration in the field. If it were to have a major of its own, the program would have a clearer definition,” he said.
Funk is also attempting to improve faculty salaries. “The salary for a full time professor at Hood is about $35,000, and for a single-income family, this hardly pays for expenses,” Funk said. “Our faculty is top quality, and they deserve an improvement in salary.” To achieve this goal, he will be working with the admissions office to enroll a larger freshman class. “Instead of raising tuition, our goal must be to increase the number of tuition-paying students,” Funk said.
Though Funk has willingly taken on the responsibilities of his new job, his position is temporary and will span two semesters. Funk indicated that the college thought it was best to bring in one new person at a time and this year that person was the president. Since Funk has previous experience at Hood, he will be able to assist Volpe as he is initiated into life at Hood.
Overall, Funk said he is pleased to serve the college community for one more year. “I am highly impressed with the people who come to Hood,” he said. “The students possess a motivation that is refreshing to see on a college campus. They understand the purpose of attending Hood,” he said.
Following the year as vice president of academic affairs, Funk said he may take time to enjoy his retirement.