Following a dozen years as Provost, Julia Upton, RSM, Ph.D.,
’73G, ’75G has chosen to return to the faculty as Distinguished
Professor of Theology. Dr Upton will also serve as Special
Assistant to St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M.
A national search was launched during the 2011-2012 academic
year to find a new Provost. The search did not yield a suitable
candidate. Therefore, in order to ensure that the University’s high
academic standards remain intact, Fr. Harrington appointed Robert
A. Mangione, Ed.D., R.Ph.,’77P, ’79GP, ’93PD, ’99Ed.D., formerly
Dean of St. John’s College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences, to serve as Interim Provost. S. William Zito, Ph.D.
‘66P Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been appointed to
serve as Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences while Dr. Mangione fulfills the responsibilities of
Provost.
The Provost is the University’s Chief Academic Officer, overseeing
St. John’s academic programs, assessment, research and academic
support services in collaboration with the Academic Deans and other
senior University administrators.
A double graduate of St. John’s, with both an M.A. in Theology and
an M.A. in English, Dr. Upton began her career at the University in
the classroom, joining the faculty in 1979 as a member of the
Department of Theology and Religious Studies. She was the founding
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and in that
capacity initiated a broad range of workshops and activities
designed to foster faculty development.
She became Provost in 2000, and during the next 12 years focused
on a number of major initiatives, including the creation of an
academic community that challenged students at the highest level,
enthusiastic support of faculty research and the development of
cutting-edge resources in computing and science education.
Dr. Upton has always been an energetic proponent of the importance
of doing everything possible to enhance the University’s world-wide
reputation for academic excellence. In her role as Co-Chair of the
Executive Planning Committee, she spearheaded the development of a
four-year academic plan that centered on raising St. John’s
academic profile, emphasized writing across the curriculum, and
developed a plan to assess all programs of the University.
“During my time as Provost I tried to improve the academic
nature of the University and support those who were endeavoring to
do the same,” she noted. “As a few examples, I expanded the
Honors Program to the entire University, secured funding from the
Board of Trustees for a $20 million renovation
of St. Albert Hall,
oversaw the implementation of the University-wide core curriculum
which had been developed by the faculty, and assisted in the design
of the classroom side of the D’Angelo Center. But by far, the
greatest privilege during those years was chairing the St. Thomas
More Church building committee from design through
dedication.”
Never at a loss for interesting and exciting ideas, Dr. Upton was
strolling across campus with another University administrator when
she conceptualized what would become the Ozanam Scholars Program, a
unique and dynamic initiative that offers students an opportunity
to combine service, academics and global learning. The program
became a reality five years ago, and Dr. Upton is proud of the
young men and women who are addressing the issues of poverty and
injustice on the local, national and international levels.
The new Interim Provost is similar to his predecessor in many ways.
Dr. Mangione is also a long-time member of the St. John’s family
who brings a wealth of academic expertise to this important
position.
Since his first days on campus as an undergraduate student in the
mid-1970s, he has participated in the exceptional growth of the
University and become immersed in its unique mission of service to
others.
He joined the faculty in 1979, and during his two decades in the
classroom Pharmacy students attested to his outstanding popularity
by voting him “Teacher of the Year” on four separate occasions. He
became Dean in 1999, and in addition to his administrative and
academic responsibilities, was selected to serve as the University
Faculty Athletic Representative to the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA).
As with many gifted academicians, Dr. Mangione has established a
reputation as a talented and prolific writer, authoring or
co-authoring over 100 professional publications. He previously
served as Editor of the New York State Journal of Pharmacy,
Contributing Editor to the Children’s Hospital Quarterly and U.S.
Pharmacist, and President of the Long Island Society of Hospital
Pharmacists.
Having spent nearly 40 years at St. John’s as a student, faculty
member and administrator, it should come as no surprise that his
research interests, which include Pharmaceutical Care for Patients
with Celiac Disease, Pediatric Pharmacotherapy, and Poverty Issues
in Healthcare and Education, reflect both a personal and
professional commitment to the Vincentian philosophy of making a
difference for those in need. When the Vincentian Mission Award was
established in 1993 to recognize employees who have incorporated
the University’s Vincentian mission into their professional and
personal lives, Bob Mangione was the first recipient of the
award.
Dr. Mangione has always recognized the importance of staying
connected to the external community as an important way to better
serve his students and the University. He maintains professional
pharmacy licensure in New York State and is an active member of the
Scientific/Medical Advisory Board of the National Foundation for
Celiac Awareness. .
The nationwide search for a permanent Provost has been reopened;
the Search Committee established last fall, which is chaired by
Michael Simons, Dean of the School of Law, remains charged with
identifying and interviewing prospective candidates. Additional
information on the search, including an opportunity to submit
nominations and communicate with the committee may be accessed
at provostsearch@stjohns.edu.