Purdue Appoints First Faculty Ombuds

The public university in Indiana announced that Ralph Webb will become the first Faculty Ombudsperson on August 18. Purdue President Mitch Daniels said, "As a faculty member with nearly 50 years of service to Purdue, Dr. Webb is exceptionally qualified to provide these services with the utmost conscientiousness and care." (Unfortunately, Daniels also said that the Ombuds would provide "faculty members with objective, third-party arbitration when they might need it most.")  Webb, a Professor of Communication, will serve a two-year term, which may be renewed.

Webb joined the Purdue faculty in 1965 and has received several awards for teaching excellence.  His research focuses on interpersonal communication with specific interest in language, gender, intercultural communication, and communication theory.  He earned his BA and MA from the University of Northern Colorado, and PhD from the University of Wisconsin.  (Purdue Today; Faculty Profile.)

Related post: Purdue Takes Next Step Toward Ombuds for Employees; Purdue Appoints Ombuds for Biological Sciences Department; Purdue Opens Search for First Faculty Ombuds.