University of Oregon selects Larson as vice provost of Portland programs

Wendy Larson, named as vice provost of Portland programs

EUGENE, Ore. -- (June 30, 2008) -- Wendy Larson, a professor of East Asian languages and former dean of the University of Oregon's College of Arts and Sciences, has been named vice provost of Portland programs, Senior Vice President and Provost Linda Brady announced Monday.

"The university's Portland programs are designed to serve the needs of greater Portland's professional communities," Brady said. "Over the last two years, Wendy has guided the College of Arts and Sciences superbly. She's an excellent choice to take the helm in Portland."

Larson will be based in the university's newly refurbished 103,000-square-foot White Stag Block in downtown Portland. Her two-year appointment begins July 1. As vice provost for Portland programs, Larson will work with administrative and program directors to coordinate and support academic and resource planning in Portland.

In addition, she will serve as a liaison between the university and other educational institutions, business, government and nonprofit organizations, while collaborating with other UO administrators to advance the university's academic mission in Portland. Larson replaces Terri Warpinski, vice provost for academic affairs and community engagement.

This spring, the UO moved its first programs into the White Stag Block, which merges parts of the White Stag/Hirsch-Weiss, the Skidmore Block and the Bickel Block buildings into a single complex at the west end of the Burnside Bridge. The White Stag Block consolidates many University of Oregon offerings in subjects such as journalism, architecture, digital arts, product design and law. A grand opening is slated for this fall.

"It's an understatement to say this is an exciting time for the University of Oregon in Portland," Larson said. "The UO has been in the city almost since the university opened in 1876. It's an honor to be selected vice provost for such a world-class operation."

Larson specializes in modern Chinese literature, film and theory. From 2006 to 2008 she served as dean of the UO College of Arts and Sciences. From 2002 to 2006, Larson was the associate dean of humanities. After earning her bachelor's degree from the UO in Chinese language, Larson earned a master's and doctorate in Oriental languages from the University of California, Berkeley. She spent the 2005-2006 academic year as the Marta Sutton Weeks Senior Fellow at the Stanford University Humanities Center.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Also available: Close up photo of Wendy Larson

Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
Link: The University of Oregon in Portland, http://pdx.uoregon.edu/

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