ASC Executive Dean David C. Manderscheid has announced two changes in divisional leadership within the College of Arts and Sciences — in the natural and mathematical sciences (NMS) and in the social and behavioral sciences (SBS).

Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Christopher Hadad, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has been appointed divisional dean of the natural and mathematical sciences, effective, July 1. He has served as arts and sciences NMS associate dean since September, 2011.

Hadad will assume the duties of outgoing NMS Divisional Dean Peter March, who has accepted the position of executive dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University.

“Peter has a long record of exceptional service to Ohio State and to the College of Arts and Sciences,” Manderscheid said. “He has spent most of his career here and his impact has been far-reaching. A professor of mathematics, he chaired the Department of Mathematics from 1998 to 2006 and was an associate director of the Mathematical Biosciences Institute from 2003 to 2005. From 2006 until his appointment as ASC divisional dean in 2010, he served as the director of the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation.

“He will be missed, but this is a great opportunity for him and we wish him our best.

“I am confident that Christopher, who is a highly accomplished chemist, along with his substantial experience as associate dean — he has been deeply involved in planning for the new Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Chemistry Building (CBEC), among other projects — will hit the ground running and help us continue to move the college forward,” Manderscheid said.

March said, “As I reflect back over the past four years, what fills me with the greatest pride are the amazing accomplishments of our students, staff and faculty working together to advance the frontiers of research and to educate the next generation of STEM leaders. I guess that’s my version of Buckeye Pride!

“I will even keep a little bit of that pride with me as I transition to executive dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University - another great public land grant institution in the Big Ten.

“I am confident in Christopher’s leadership and vision for the natural and mathematical sciences. I feel that with him and Jan joining this great leadership team, the college is in very good hands."

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Janet Box-Steffensmeier, the Vernal Riffe Professor of Political Science, has been appointed divisional dean of the social and behavioral sciences, effective August 1. She will assume the duties of SBS Divisional Dean Gifford Weary, upon Weary’s retirement on July 31.

“I am certain that Jan, who is widely known as one of country’s top political methodologists, a scholar, big thinker and the founder of Visions in Methodology — an organization that serves to mentor and connect women in a field where they are under-represented — will prove to be a real asset to the College of Arts and Sciences,” Manderscheid said

“She follows another highly-respected scholar — Gifford Weary began her academic career at Ohio State in 1978 in the Department of Psychology. In 1984, she received the Distinguished Scholar Award and in 2000 was named Distinguished Lecturer. She served as department chair from 2002 to 2008 and was appointed SBS divisional dean in 2008.

“In 2009, Giff created the endowed Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Chair in social psychology. Throughout her career, she has provided exemplary service to the university and to the College of Arts and Sciences,“ Manderscheid said.

“We wish her well; she will be missed.”

Giff Weary said, “It has been my great pleasure to serve as the dean of social and behavioral sciences during this time.

“I have been humbled by the collective efforts of the divisional staff, associate and assistant deans, department chairs, program and center directors, faculty, staff and students in the social sciences at Ohio State.

“Together they have moved the social sciences to levels of national excellence that add greatly to the eminence of the College of Arts and Sciences and the university.

“I look forward to seeing the next chapter unfold under Jan's leadership.”