New CCAS interim dean after Sigelman heart attack

Lee Sigelman, professor of political science, has stepped down as interim dean of the Columbian School of Arts & Sciences after suffering a tachycardia attack last month. Diana Lipscomb, currently the associate dean for Faculty and Research, will take his place, according to a letter sent to faculty of CCAS.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Donald Lehman said that the appointment of Lipscomb came after Sigelman expressed earlier this week that ongoing medical treatment following his heart problems. He sent a letter to the faculty and staff of CCAS on Friday, June 16.

Sigelman, a long-distance biker, experienced a tachycardia attack during Memorial Day weekend that hospitalized him for a week. Sigelman has mostly stayed at home for rest and recently began spending portions of his day at the University.

In his letter, Lehman said that Sigelman “is feeling perfectly fine and is regaining his strength after being probed, prodded and checked in a myriad of ways.”

A tachycardia attack is when an individual suffers from a rapid heart rate of over 100 beats per minutes.

Sigelman decided earlier this week to step down from his position as interim dean, which he has filled since mid-April following former Dean William Frawley’s departure to serve as the president of Mary Washington University.

Lehman wrote that he and Sigelman “both agreed that it is best for Lee’s recuperation, including his upcoming procedure, that he not undertake this demanding assignment of Interim Dean of CCAS.”

Diana Lipscomb, in addition to her position as associate dean of Faculty and Research, is a professor of biology and has a Ph.D from the University of Maryland.

Below is the letter sent by Lehman to CCAS faculty and staff.

As you know, earlier this term I had asked Lee Sigelman to serve as the Interim Dean of CCAS upon the departure of Bill Frawley for his presidency at Mary Washington University. Lee graciously agreed to serve in this capacity despite his other responsibilities at GW and externally. Unfortunately, during one of Lee’s regular, long-distance, weekend bike rides on Memorial Day weekend, Lee experienced a tachycardia attack that landed him in the hospital for about a week. After a couple of procedures accompanied by some medicine and a rest at home, he has been to the University for short periods each day this week. He is anticipating at least one more procedure in the near future, which is likely going to require his staying at home to recuperate. The good news is that Lee is feeling perfectly fine and is regaining his strength after being probed, prodded, and checked in a myriad of ways.

On Sunday, June 11, Lee contacted me about proceeding with his commitment to serve as Interim Dean of CCAS. We had a conversation Monday, June 12, and we both agreed that it is best for Lee’s recuperation, including his upcoming procedure, that he not undertake this demanding assignment of Interim Dean of CCAS. I know you join me in understanding this decision and wishing Lee nothing but the best as he recuperates and regains his previous strength and level of activity. I shall remain grateful to Lee for his straightforward willingness to have originally taken on this responsibility.

In the meantime, I am very pleased to convey to you that Diana Lipscomb, currently associate dean for Faculty and Research in CCAS, as well as professor of biology, has accepted my request that she serve as Interim Dean of CCAS. We agreed to terms late yesterday afternoon of Thursday, June 15, and I am making her appointment effective as of today, Friday, June 16, 2006. Diana has a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland at College Park, and has been at The George Washington University since 1983. During the period of 2001-03, Diana served as a program director at the National Science Foundation in the Systematic Biology and Assembling the Tree of Life Program. She has received the Bronze Medal for Advancement of Science from the University of Helsinki in Finland. Diana has a significant record of internal and external service to education and her field, including a comprehensive list of professional publications in her field of scholarship.

Please join me in welcoming and supporting Diana as she takes on this new responsibility of leading and managing the Columbia College of Arts and Sciences as we continue on our path of raising the level of academic excellence at GW. I am very pleased to have her as part of our decanal team.