Associate Dean Kirk D. Kolenbrander has been named interim dean for student life, effective June 8, while the search for a permanent successor to Dean Margaret R. Bates continues. Dean Bates is stepping down after serving five years in that position.
Dean Kolenbrander, who joined MIT in 1990 as an assistant professor in materials science and engineering, has been interim special assistant to the chancellor for the residence system since last December.
"Kirk has been doing a wonderful job overseeing the planning for the new residence system," Chancellor Lawrence S. Bacow said. "He is well positioned to provide leadership during what I hope will be a short period between Dean Bates's retirement and the arrival of a new dean of students."
Dr. Kolenbrander was named the Pirelli Assistant Professor of Electronic Materials in 1990 and the Carl Richard Soderberg Professor in Engineering in 1991. He joined the Dean's Office in 1998. He holds the PhD in physical chemistry (1988) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the BA in chemistry (1983) from Central College in Pella, IA.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on June 7, 2000.
