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University community welcomes the Whitehead School’s new dean, Ambassador John Menzies
February 20, 2007
 Dean Menzies receives a warm welcome from Whitehead Board of Overseers Chairman, John Baiyle. |
Ambassador John
K. Menzies, who became dean of the Whitehead School of
Diplomacy and International Relations in January, was
given a warm welcome by the University community at two
events last month. Menzies met with students and faculty
for a reception at Jubilee Hall on February 4th. Student
leaders from the School’s graduate and undergraduate
organizations spoke about their hopes for the Whitehead
School under Menzies’ leadership. The new dean was also
welcomed by University Provost Fred Travis, and
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Courtney Smith.
Menzies, who served as Ambassador to Bosnia and
Herzegovina in the mid-nineties and was Chief of Mission
to Kosovo, said that he was thrilled to be at Seton
Hall. Menzies remarked that he was looking forward to
working closely with students, faculty and
administrators. He said he planned to focus his efforts
on a capital campaign to build a new home for the
Whitehead School, and on the establishment of the
School’s first doctoral program.
 The dean spoke about his vision for the future of the Whitehead School. |
University Regents, members of the Whitehead School’s
Board of Overseers, and other members of the Seton Hall
community gathered in the rotunda of the Walsh Library
on February 20th to meet the new dean. The evening began
with remarks by John Baiyle, chair of the School’s Board
of Overseers. University President Monsignor Robert
Sheeran and Provost Fred Travis also spoke about the
promising future they anticipated for the Whitehead
School under Menzies’ leadership.
Prior to his appointment as dean, Menzies served as the
16th president of Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
At Graceland, he achieved the most successful
fundraising results in the University’s history while
expanding the school’s success in academics and
athletics. A career diplomat, Ambassador Menzies led
negotiations in Kosovo, Yugoslavia to form a government,
forge compromises between political parties, develop a
post-war economy, and organize and monitor Kosovo’s
first democratic elections. As Ambassador to Bosnia and
Herzegovina from 1995 to 1996, he participated in the
Dayton Peace talks. Previously, Menzies managed U.S.
Assistance to build democracy throughout Eastern Europe.
Ambassador Menzies holds a doctoral degree in German
from the University of California, Berkeley, and
master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of
Arkansas.
Whitehead School alumni Chris Davies & Perry Altadonna greet the new dean. |
Graduate & undergraduate students enjoy a visit with Dean Menzies. |
