Editor’s Note: A correction has been made to this article. We implied that David Hemmer said both interim deans learned of their new positions through public announcements, but he was only sure of one. We apologize for any confusion this has caused.

Editor’s Note (2): Another correction has been made to this article. We inadvertently suggested Janet Callahan told us she was given no explanation for her dismissal, but in fact another source, David Hemmer, was speaking in plural, and to our knowledge does not have authority to speak on Callahan’s behalf. We sincerely apologize.

The deans of both the College of Engineering, and the College of Sciences and Arts at Michigan Technological University were fired June 26. According to written statements made by one of the two fired deans, they were informed of their pending termination by Michigan Tech provost Andrew Storer on June 20, and offered a chance to renounce their tenure and resign from the University entirely for three months salary. Both declined the offer. The next day, the Office of the Provost announced that both faculty members would “transition from their leadership roles in the College of Engineering and the College of Sciences and Arts” and that interim deans would be stepping in to fill their vacancies.

One of the two fired deans, David Hemmer of the College of Sciences and Arts, said the two were offered no explanation for their abrupt dismissal and that it was conducted in a manner to “increase our humiliation”. At time of reporting, both former deans are still employed at the University as tenured professors.

Hemmer authored a letter to the Board of Trustees expressing his “shock and disgust at the events that [had] transpired”. Transcripts of the letter soon made their way to social media, where they were shared by students and faculty of the University. Copper Beacon has verified the authenticity of this letter, the full text of which can be read in the card below.

In his letter, Hemmer asserts that the provost behaved in a manner designed to humiliate and insult both faculty members.

“It feels like an intentional slap in the face to both of us,” Hemmer wrote.

Hemmer also accused provost Storer of conducting a “hasty and bungled transition” that led to at least one of the interim deans learning of their new jobs through a public announcement on the University’s daily newsletter.

Hemmer continued by noting an “outpouring of support and anger [from] more than 100 faculty and staff from across the university” and offered many quote snippets to highlight faculty bafflement, fear, and disgust with the provost’s decision. Hemmer added that “Colleagues have called for a vote in the University Senate to censure the Provost”.

As the University Senate seldom meets during the summer, it is unclear when this measure might be considered or how likely it would be to pass.

Hemmer concluded his letter with a series of concerns about how this decision would impact the University’s ABET accreditation, the current capital campaign, or the ability for the school to recruit and retain faculty in the future.

“I carefully negotiated my contract in ways that protected me from just this scenario. I will be ok. I fear MTU will not,” Hemmer wrote.

The University in response to an inquiry about the former deans being fired without explanation offered the following comment.

“Thank you for reaching out. Regarding your questions, the University does not comment on personnel matters beyond the announcements made elsewhere.”

The second faculty member, Janet Callahan did not respond to a request for comment at time of publication.

The College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) is the second-largest college under MTU’s umbrella, home to approximately 1/6th of their students. The college also supports several notable departments including the Biological Sciences, Humanities, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, and ROTC.

David Hemmer, the former CSA dean, holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Chicago and worked for the University of Buffalo as chair of mathematics prior to coming to Michigan Tech. Hemmer replaced retiring CSA dean Bruce Seely in 2018 with much praise from the former provost Jacqueline Huntoon.

Hemmer is being replaced by interim dean Ravindra Pandey who holds a PhD in Theoretical Solid State Physics from the University of Manitoba. Pandey also serves as Chair of the Physics Department.

The College of Engineering (COE) is the largest college by far. More than half of Michigan Tech’s total student population study under one of its programs including the Biomedical, Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Geological Engineering departments in addition to other programs such as Material Science and Manufacturing.

Janet Callahan, the former COE dean, holds a PhD in Material Sciences University of Connecticut at Storrs and worked for Boise State University as chair of the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering before coming to Michigan Tech. Callahan replaced retiring dean Wayne Pennington in 2018 with praise from the former provost Jacqueline Huntoon as well.

Callahan is being replaced by interim dean Audra Morse who holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University. Morse also serves as Chair of the Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering Departments.

If you’re interested in republishing this story, please email us at editor@copperbeacon.org.

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