Rick Osen to serve as interim WWU dean of libraries

Rick Osen, assistant dean of Libraries at Western Washington University, will serve as interim dean of Libraries. Chris Cox, current dean of Libraries, is leaving Western in August to take the dean of Library Services position at the University of Northern Iowa.

Osen will serve until a permanent dean is selected. A national search for Cox’s successor will begin in early fall.

Provost Catherine Riordan noted that there was overwhelming support among library faculty and staff for Osen’s selection as interim dean. “I am delighted Rick is willing to serve and look forward to working with him over the next year,” Riordan said.

The provost said that work will continue on important library projects, including the strategic plan, collection assessment and management, and the ongoing development of the Learning Commons.

Also, separate arrangements for faculty personnel actions will be made for this interim period.

Osen has been continuously employed as a member of the library staff since 1979. During that time he has held managerial and administrative positions that have involved virtually every department in the Western Libraries at one time or another. In recent years he has been the assistant dean for Administration & Planning and the last three years has also simultaneously held the title of acting assistant dean for Collections & Technology Services. Osen has served on many campus-wide committees over the years and has been active in the Orbis Cascade Alliance. In 2007 Osen received the Professional Service Organization (PSO) Excellence in Service Award. In 2012 he received the President’s Exceptional Effort Award.

Western's dean of Libraries is responsible for the overall leadership, management and direction of the libraries and their programs.