Spring Break
Colleagues remember Arnett Mace's contributions
MIMI ENSLEY
Issue date: 9/14/09 Section: News
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Though Mace, the University's senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, spent some of his career at the University of Florida, he won't even utter the school's name. When his professional experience comes up, Mace smiles and barely mentions "that institution in the state south of us that we don't talk about."
Colleagues say he's rarely without his bulldog lapel pin and other University paraphernalia.
"I think his wardrobe is now very thoroughly red and black," said Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs. "When you think of Arnett Mace, you'll think of the University of Georgia." But now somebody else will have to take over - the University plans to announce a new provost this month to fill the position Mace will vacate in January.
Mace began his time at the University in 1991 as the dean of the Warnell School of Forest Resources - now known as the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. He served as the interim provost in 2002 and stepped up to the permanent position the next year.
"It's been a rewarding experience," Mace said. "There are some days that are difficult, but on the whole, it has been a very happy time in my life, a very rewarding time in my life."
As provost, Mace is second in command to University President Michael Adams.
"All things academic come together at the provost level," Jackson said.
Four vice presidents report directly to the provost - the vice presidents for instruction, student affairs, research, and public service and outreach.
"[The provost position] assures that the three-legged mission of the University does not operate as three silos," Jackson said. "But instead works across organizational lines to achieve a synergy."
Over the years, Mace has supported numerous programs affecting all areas of the University, said David Lee, vice president for research. Lee highlighted initiatives such as the MCG/UGA Medical School Partnership, the College of Public Health, the Faculty of Engineering and the Odum School of Ecology as examples of the provost's commitment to the school.
"Those will prove to be transformative programs for UGA, programs that we badly needed, certainly to help grow our research enterprise, but also for instruction and service opportunities," Lee said. "And I think [Mace's] leadership in helping launch those programs will be long remembered."
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