Providence, RI -Hugh F. Lena, Ph.D., has been appointed interim vice president of the Division of Academic Administration at Providence College, effective July 1, 2004. Dr. Lena's appointment was announced by College President Rev. Philip A. Smith, O.P. during the recent Spring Faculty Meeting.

A highly respected faculty member and academic administrator, Dr. Lena is a professor of sociology who also serves as president of the Faculty Senate and as associate director of the Feinstein Institute for Public Service. A member of the College faculty for 31 years, he is a former chair of the Department of Sociology and has served on numerous College committees.

Dr. Lena will resign his Faculty Senate and Feinstein Institute posts and suspend his teaching duties to undertake his one-year appointment as interim vice president for academic administration.

Dr. Lena is filling the post vacated by Thomas L. Canavan, Ph.D., who has served as vice president for academic administration since July 1996. He is stepping down for personal family reasons effective June 30, 2004.

-- 30 --