ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y., April 6, 2006 — Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., president of St. Bonaventure University, today named Dr. Michael J. Fischer provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, effective June 1.
As chief academic officer, Fischer will oversee all officers and staff members responsible for the development and delivery of the educational programs. He will have significant responsibilities related to student life, athletics, strategic planning, and resource allocation.
“I am very pleased to serve the University as its next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. I look forward to working with the president and the Cabinet, and particularly to serving the University, as provost in the years to come,” he said.
“Having had the pleasure of working with Mike as an academic and administrative colleague for the last nine years, I am very happy to name him as the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs,” said Sr. Margaret. “This places us in a critical partnership for the promotion of this University. Knowing his focus on mission, and his record of success in the administration of a leading professional school gives me every hope that those gifts will be made available to a broader set of needs. I also want to express my thanks to Dr. Peggy Yehl Burke and to the search committee for their superb service to the University in conducting this important search.”
Fischer currently serves as dean of the School of Business and dean of the School of Graduate Studies for St. Bonaventure. He replaces Dr. Frank E. “Skip” Saal, who is retiring.
An interim dean for the School of Business and the graduate school will be appointed. A national search will be used to fill the dean’s position in the School of Business.
Fischer, a native of Buffalo, earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1979 and 1980, respectively, and his Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in 1992.
His community involvement includes membership on the board of directors for Olean General Hospital, the Cattaraugus County Business Development Corporation and the Cattaraugus Empire Zone. Fischer and his wife, Dr. Carol Fischer, professor of accounting at St. Bonaventure University, have three children and reside in Allegany, N.Y.