The College's search for a new director of alumni affairs should be completed in four to six weeks, according to Stanley Colla, vice-president of development and alumni relations.
"We're pressing along with that search very vigorously," Colla said.
The eight-member search committee chaired by Earth Sciences Professor Richard Birnie began its search in late spring. Colla said it is moving along "expeditiously" but he said it will be another four to six weeks before an appointment is made.
David Orr was appointed in July to serve as acting director in place of former Alumni Affairs Office Director Michael Choukas, who retired on June 30 after 10 years in the position.
Colla said the Alumni Affairs office was renamed the Alumni Relations office at the same time.
The office is responsible for alumni programs such as the Alumni College and Dartmouth Night Weekend and College interaction with alumni through Dartmouth Clubs, the Alumni Council and class officers.
"I think that 'Alumni Relations' better reflects what the main focus of that office will be in the future," Colla said.
He said one of the new director's first tasks will be to "evaluate the way Dartmouth relates to alumni compared to other schools" and to ensure that the College is "up to the standards of the day."
Alumni Relations attempts to maintain a connection with alumni, provide services to them and make them "feel included in the Dartmouth community and family," he said. "I want to make sure we are not missing opportunities to supplement and enhance that relationship."
Although he said being an alumnus of the College is a "natural advantage" because of their knowledge of the school, the committee is not limiting itself to alumni.
The College is also trying to find replacements for two of its five alumni relations officers.
Sally Prescott, associate director of alumni relations, resigned in March and Burgie Howard, associate director of alumni relations is leaving this fall to attend graduate school.
Jan Bent, former director of the Dartmouth Institute, is the temporary replacement for Prescott.
Colla said the search for to fill Howard's and Prescott's positions permanently is being coordinated by a single committee in consultation with the director search committee.
Ideally the new director would be appointed before the two officers so the incoming director could have a say in the appointments, Colla said.
The searches have not interfered with the Alumni Relations Office's normal operations, Colla said.
