Rebecca Chopp named interim
provost for 1997-98
President Bill Chace has appointed Rebecca Chopp, dean of faculty and academic
affairs and professor of systematic theology in the Candler School of Theology,
as interim provost. Chopp will serve as interim provost beginning June 1
when Provost Billy Frye becomes chancellor. She will serve as interim provost
throughout the 1997-98 academic year while a search for Frye's permanent
successor is conducted.
Chace said he selected Chopp based on nominations and advice he received
from members of the faculty. "On the basis of everything I knew and
hoped for at the University next year, I was very happy to be able to select
Rebecca Chopp and was delighted that she accepted my invitation," said
Chace. "Dr. Chopp brings superb skills with people, great administrative
energies and clarity of mind, a dedication to excellence in both teaching
and scholarly research, determination and a balanced judgment. I believe
she will serve with great distinction.
"Everyone should be ready to assume that Rebecca Chopp will be a very
active and result-oriented interim provost and that no decisions will be
deferred while she is at the post," said Chace. "She will have
full authority to inaugurate and execute polity, to oversee all provostial
areas, and to make her presence felt. She wants that authority; I want her
to have it."
Chopp came to Emory as a professor of theology in 1986 from the University
of Chicago Divinity School. Last year she was appointed chair of the Teaching
Commission, a role she will continue in at least through this semester.
"Coming from the faculty, I'm committed and interested in furthering
the work of the faculty in all ways to promote academic excellence for the
whole University," said Chopp. "It's important that we find some
of our leadership from this faculty."
Chopp has been active in a range of University activities. She chaired the
committees on institutional mission and institutional effectiveness during
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation review in
1991-93; directed graduate studies in the Institute for Women's Studies
from 1991-94; served on the Ethics Center committee from 1989-91; and was
a Luce Fellow in 1990. Her research focuses on Christian political movements
and contemporary culture.
She received a bachelor's degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1974,
a master of divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology in 1977 and
a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago in 1983.
Since coming to Emory, she has published three books: The Praxis of Suffering:
An Interpretation of Liberation and Political Theologies (1986); The Power
to Speak: Feminism, Language, and God (1989); and Saving Work: Feminist
Practices of Theological Education (1995).
-Jan Gleason
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