Date:
April 12, 2004
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director,
Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu
Dr. James S. Pula Appointed PNC Vice Chancellor
WESTVILLE – The Purdue University Board of Trustees
has approved the appointment of Dr. James S. Pula as vice
chancellor for Academic Affairs at Purdue University North
Central. He will assume his responsibilities at the Westville
campus on July 1.
As vice chancellor Pula will be PNC’s chief academic
officer and will be responsible for all academic programs
and faculty, as well as the library, student services, enrollment
management and continuing education. He was selected for the
appointment as a result of a national recruitment search.
“I am pleased to have an experienced professional of
Dr. Pula’s caliber join us at PNC,” said PNC Chancellor
James B. Dworkin. “His background, coupled with his interest,
enthusiasm and commitment to academic excellence will definitely
be an asset in helping PNC reach its strategic goals. We have
ambitious plans for PNC’s growth and development during
the coming years and look forward to Dr. Pula’s contributions.”
An experienced educator and administrator, Pula comes to PNC
from Utica College of Syracuse University in New York where
he served as dean of graduate and continuing education. He
had full responsibility for all aspects of graduate, continuing
education, distance education, winter session and summer session
programs. Previously, he was dean of The Catholic University
of America’s Metropolitan College in Washington D.C.
He has experience teaching history, sociology and geography
and as a University of Maryland University College faculty
member, he offered courses in history and sociology at locations
in Japan, Korea, Germany and Italy.
He is familiar with Purdue University; having earned his earned
his master of arts and Ph. D. degrees at the West Lafayette
campus. He holds a bachelor’s degree from State University
of New York – Albany in Albany, New York; and a master’s
of education degree from the University of Maryland.
Pula’s credentials include extensive experience
as a researcher, author and editor. Much of his work reflects
his interest in history and the accomplishments of Polish-Americans.
He has written seven books and dozens of articles for journals,
reference guides, professional resources and special-interest
publications. He has edited a number of articles and submitted
a variety of encyclopedic entries and published more than
30 reviews. Pula also served as consultant for a documentary
on Thaddeus Kosciuszko’s role in the American Revolution.
He has earned many awards and honors for his contributions
as an educator, administrator and researcher, including the
2003 “Award for Excellence” in credit-program development
from the University Continuing Education Association; the
2000 Polish-American Historical Association Distinguished
Service Award; the 1997 award from the Educational Opportunity
Center/College Board for contributions and support of outreach
education in Washington, D.C.
Likewise, he has served on a number of boards and committees
that reflect his professional and personal interests.
Pula comes to PNC following the retirement of Dr. Ed Bednar,
who served the University for 39 years. Bednar joined the
faculty as assistant professor of mathematics in 1965, when
the campus was still located at the Barker Mansion in Michigan
City. Bednar coached the men’s basketball team in the
early 1970s, leading the team to the 1972 Indiana regional
campus state championship.
He became assistant vice chancellor in 1988 and vice chancellor
for Academic Affairs in 1998. He also holds the title of professor
of general studies.
#
