Dr. Jill Varnes Named Interim Dean of Health and Human Performance

David R. Colburn, Provost

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Jill Varnes has been named Interim Dean of the College of Health and Human Performance. She will succeed Dr. Patrick Bird, who is stepping down on June 30, 2003, after 18 successful years as dean. Dr. Varnes, a professor of health science education in the college, and UF’s director of accreditation and new degree programs, began her career here in 1978. For the past two years, she has led the comprehensive self-study analysis in preparation for the reaffirmation of the University’s accreditation by the Southern Associations of Colleges and Schools, or SACS. We are very fortunate to have someone with her experience, judgment and ability to assume leadership in the college with Pat Bird’s retirement. Dr. Varnes has done an extraordinary job in leading UF through the reaffirmation of its accreditation this year. She thus brings to the college a universitywide perspective that will be invaluable to the faculty and students as they pursue the University’s Strategic Priorities and those in the college.