Alfred Joyal has been named interim vice president for academic affairs at Northern Michigan University. He will replace Phil Beukema, who announced his intent to step down July 1 after 10 years in the position. Joyal most recently served eight years as associate vice president for academic administration and planning. In that capacity, he played an integral role in coordinating the implementation of Northern's laptop computer program. The Teaching, Learning and Communication initiative, or TLC, will put laptops in the hands of all full-time students in the fall of 2000.
Optional participation begins a year earlier.
I have the utmost confidence that his vision and energetic leadership style will serve him well in his new position. Joyal joined the geography faculty at Northern in 1976, and received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 1988. He also served as head of the department and as academic computing coordinator before assuming his current administrative responsibilities. Joyal holds bachelor's and master's degrees from NMU and a doctorate from the University of Iowa. Mass. He will serve as interim vice president for academic affairs until a national search is conducted to find a permanent replacement.