Honors College bids farewell to dean as Hanson accepts position

As former Hutton Honors College Dean Karen Hanson moves on to her new position as IU-Bloomington provost, Honors College Assistant Dean Lynn Cochran said Hanson will be missed in her old position.\n“We are going to miss her so much,” she said. “We all love her dearly.” \nIU President Michael McRobbie appointed Hanson, who has been dean of the Honors College for the past five years of her 30-year career at IU, as provost on July 5. The appointment came after a summer-long search. \nSenior Matt Jarson served as the student representative on the provost search committee. He said that the search went well, save for the stress of having a short amount of time to select a new provost. Jarson said Hanson left the best impression on the members of the committee. \n“She was very aggressive in interviews,” he said. “She was willing to find a direction with everyone rather than imposing one.” \nIU Graduate and Professional Student Organization moderator Paul Rohwer remembered a luncheon at which Hanson spoke with different student groups. He also remembered Hanson’s ease in interacting with students.\n“She spoke to everyone with a high level of distinction that I think she’ll bring to her new role,” Rohwer said.\nUnion Board President and senior Sarah McDonough said that although she’s never personally worked with Hanson, she’s glad that the University chose a new provost from IU’s campus, especially a woman.\n“She’s definitely capable (of being provost),” McDonough said. “I’m sure as in any transition, there will be challenges, but I’m also sure she’d work hard to overcome them.”\nCochran mentioned managing operations, working to add Hutton to the Honors College name and increasing endowments for the overseas program as some of Hanson’s actions during her time as dean. Taking this into account, Cochran said Hanson should have no trouble making the transition to her new position as provost. \n“None of us (at the Honors College) were surprised at all by her appointment,” she said. \nKevin Brown, director of the Hudson and Holland Scholars Program, said that Hanson has always been an ally in increasing the number of minorities in the Hudson and Holland program as well as the Honors College. The Hudson and Holland Scholars program provides scholarships in order to promote campus diversity.\n“My guess is if you look at the numbers, you’ll see a significant increase in the number of (minorities) in the Hutton Honors College since she’s been dean,” he said, adding that Hanson’s change of admission qualifications undoubtedly resulted in the increase. \nAlthough Cochran is sad to see Hanson go, she also sees Hanson’s potential. \n“She was our advocate at the dean level of the University,” Cochran said. “She will be an incredible provost.”