FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) -- University of Arkansas System officials announced Wednesday (Oct. 21) that Joseph Steinmetz has been recommended to be the new chancellor of the U of A campus in Fayetteville.
Steinmetz will be formally introduced as chancellor at a conference at the U of A on Oct. 30 and is expected to begin Jan. 1, 2016.
Steinmetz has been the executive vice president and provost of Ohio State University since 2013. He came to Ohio State in 2009 when he was appointed vice provost for arts and sciences and first executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
"I've always thought the first thing one has to do is learn the institution and what makes it tick -- the strengths and the weakness of what makes it work in the eyes of those who have been there for years. Quickly make that assessment over a few months and then go into a major goal setting for the institution," Steinmetz said.
Prior to Ohio State, Steinmetz was dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas and was also a university distinguished professor. He served for 19 years at Indiana University, where he was executive associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of Psychology.
Daniel E. Ferritor, chancellor from 1986-1997, will continue to serve as interim chancellor until Steinmetz steps in in January. Former chancellor G. David Gearhart retired on July 31.
Steinmetz said he is currently learning how to call the Hogs.
"I have experienced it a few times. I was at the Sugar Bowl a few years ago when I was in New Orleans and Arkansas was playing Ohio state that particular year and so I've heard this call many, many, many times," he said.
Steinmetz will be joined in Arkansas by his wife -- a retired special education teacher.