September 15, 1995
MARJORIE C. CASERIO NAMED INTERIM CHANCELLOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
Marjorie C. Caserio, former vice chancellor for academic affairs
at the University of California, San Diego, today was selected by the
UC Board of Regents to serve as interim chancellor of the UCSD campus.
Caserio will begin her new duties Oct. 1 and, if necessary, serve
until June 30, 1996. In the meantime, a search committee will begin
the process of finding a replacement for UCSD Chancellor Richard C.
Atkinson, who was named president of the nine-campus UC system by the
Board of Regents Aug. 18. Atkinson's appointment is effective Oct. 1.
Caserio joined UCSD in 1990 from UC Irvine, where she was chair
of the chemistry department. In May, 1994, she announced her intent to
retire under the University's early retirement program but served
until May, 1995, when Robert C. Dynes was named to replace her as vice
chancellor for academic affairs. She had planned to return to teaching
this year after five years of service in the administrative post.
"I am honored and delighted to serve as interim chancellor during
     this year of transition for the campus to new leadership," she noted.
"The incredibly productive years of Dick Atkinson's administration
     have made UCSD a strong campus with a great future, and I am proud to
     be a part of the transition to that future."
John Wheeler, head of the Academic Senate, said Dr. Caserio's
extensive knowledge of the campus makes her an ideal interim
chancellor. He said her appointment is enthusiastically supported by
the Council of the Academic Senate, which was consulted by Chancellor
Atkinson.
During Caserio's tenure as vice chancellor she raised more than
$1 million for graduate student fellowships. She also headed efforts
to establish an undergraduate major in connection with UCSD's Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, a new major in women's studies, a
department of ethnic studies and a new doctorate program in
mathematics/science education.
Among her many honors, she was named recipient of the American
Chemical Society's "Service Through Chemistry" award which honors
persons who have made significant contributions in applying chemistry
to solve problems of interest to Southern California.
She served as chair of the Irvine division of the Academic
Senate, then became chair of the full UC Academic Senate from 1985 to
1986. She also served from 1984 to 1986 as the faculty representative
to the UC Board of Regents.
As an educator, Caserio is considered an excellent teacher of
both undergraduate and graduate students and has coauthored four
textbooks in her field. During the 1960s and 1970s, one of her books
was the most widely used undergraduate organic chemistry textbook in
the nation.
The London-born scientist received her bachelor's degree in
chemistry from Chelsea College at the University of London in 1950.
She went on to earn her master's and doctorate in organic chemistry
from Bryn Mawr College, and then spent eight years at the California
Institute of Technology before joining the UC Irvine faculty.
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Contact: Pat JaCoby, University Communications, 534-7404
Winifred Cox, University Communications, 534-3120