UMR CHANCELLOR Alumnus Unlversify of Missouri-Rolla
Volume 52 Number 4 Some, perhaps many, of our readers know by now that Joseph M. Marchello ha's been named UMR's new Chancellor. They probably also know that Marchello was the Provost for the Division of Mathematics and Physical Sciences and Engineering at the University of Maryland. But what does this really say about the man and how the announcement has affected this campus? Perhaps if you were here in Rolla and wandered out ¡ to the General Services building of the UMR campus, you would see our skilled carpenters preparing a fence for the Chancellor's Residence. That sight would remind you .that for the past few weeks you have noticed the Building and Grounds trucks come and go around the Chancellor's Residence with the workers trimming the hedges, adjusting an air conditioner below an upstairs window, applying some paint to the steps, unrolling some hose for the late afternoon watering of the spacious lawn, and ... you suddenly realize that UMR is going to have a Chancellor and his family living and entertaining in the Residence. You are also aware that the vague sense of excitement you have had since the official announcement of his appointment has been growing, quietly and steadily.
August 1978 Marchello's previous position also tells us something about the man and his qualifications. The Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Engineering division, of which he was Provost at the University of Maryland's College Park campus, is similar in size and academic atmosphere to UMR. It has approximately 5,000 students and 600 faculty and staff, includes the College of Engineering, the Institute for Physical Science and Technology, the Transportation Studies Center; the departments of computer science, mathematics, physics and astronomy; and the meterology program. Marchello was Provost of this division for the past five years. He is a 1955 graduate of the University of Illinois and received a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1959. He taught at Oklahoma State University from 1959-61 before going to the University of Maryland as an assistant professor. He was made a full. professor in 1966, named chairman of the chemical engineering department in 1967 ,and was promoted to Provost of the division in 1973. So, after 17 years at the University of Maryland, Marchello accepted the Chancellorship at UMR, and at 44, he will be the youngest of the University of Missouri's four campus chancellors . .
But come to think of it, there had been an air of mounting anticipation over the past year concerning the selection of a new It was obvious that University of Missouri chancellor. Dr. Jim Pogue was at the helm as President James C. Olson shared UMR's anInterim Chancellor. His alert and genial ticipation and pleasure at the decision when, leadership alleviated the pressure of time so on the morning of June 7, he traveled to the search committee could give full attention Rolla to hold a special meeting with UMR to sort through, review or interview nearly 200 nominees for the job. And there had been the predictable amount of rumors on and off campus followed by what seemed like long periods of silence on the subject. It was clear the committee had taken its task seriously and was proceeding with determination. It was equally apparent that to be chancellor of this University, in this day and age of global ----energy entanglements, of technological advances and dilemmas, the candidate would have to be a special kind of "engineeradministrator." And so he is. Shortly after the announce'ment, we find Marchello introducing himself and his wife as Joe and Louise at the recent MSM-UMR Alumni gathering in Washington D.C., hosted by John and Kelly Toomey. (See the Alumni Section News for the full story.) We also learn that Marchello continues to view his original training and background with respect: he is a registered professional engineer. And we are all pleased to learn that he has already made appointments to visit UMR faculty and staff in their offices including a stop by the Alumni Office in Harris Hall.
JOSEPH M. MARCHELLO
Rolla, Missouri faculty and staff in the civil engineering auditorium, the setting for the announcement. "We are fortunate to find someone of Dr. Marchello's background and administrative ability to lead the Rolla campus," Olson said. "He has received high marks among his colleagues at Maryland as an administrator, teacher and professional engineer." Dr. Jim Pogue was in the audience for the announcement and Olson turned to him, saying, "I want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Jim Pogue. He has provided leadership for this campus since January 1977, and I can't think of a quality of service that has been greater since I have been associated with the University," The audience quickly came to their feet with a long round of applause for the Interim Chancellor. President Olson and his staff then circulated a list of Dr. Marchello's credentials to the audience: impressive material, to Say the least. His public and professional services have included being chairman of the Maryland Air Quality Control Advisory Council, a member of the Maryland Advisory Commission on Atomic Energy, chairman of the Maryland Power Plant Siting Committee, and senior operator of the University of Maryland nuclear reactor . . Dr. Marchello's professional and honorary society affiliations and assignments include the Air Pollutiori Control Association, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, the New York Academy of Science, the American Society of Engineering Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and both the National and Maryland Societies of Professional Engineers. He is a native of East Moline, Illinois, and his wife, Louise, is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. She grew up ih Aiken, South Carolina. They have two daughters, Sara Leigh, 14, and Katherine, 12. In July, the Chancellor met with MSMUMR Alumni Association officers and pastpresidents in St. Louis, where he was introduced by University of Missouri President, James C. Olson. In discussion with the group, he shared some of his aspirations and his remarks clearly reflected his enthusiasm for the tasks ahead. When asked about his pending return to his native midwest, he said, "Although the decision was the result of much thought, Louise probably cast the deciding vote, and the entire family looks forward with pleasure to the personal and professional opportunities at the University of Missouri-Rolla and in the Rolla community." MSM Alumnu s/ l