"I am convinced the Dr. Mann is the best qualified to be our next vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college," said Westminster President R. Thomas Williamson. "Jess has the necessary experience, interest and willingness to participate in campus life, and an understanding of the role, character, and governing structure of a national liberal arts college. I am confident that Jess will do great things for Westminster and her students."

Since August 2002, Mann has served Westminster as interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. In 1989, he was appointed associate dean and also served for a year as acting registrar. Mann served as a French professor at Westminster for 17 years.

Mann has written numerous scholarly papers and delivered many presentations at various conferences. He was a member and parliamentarian for the Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania from 1992-1994, chair of the Northeast Modern Language Association: Foreign Language Pedagogy Section in 1990, and secretary of the Northeast Modern Language Association: Foreign Language Pedagogy Section in 1989.

Mann, who has been with Westminster College since 1984, earned his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University, and his master's and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

He lives in New Wilmington with his wife, Victoria. They have two daughters, Courtney and Lauren.

For more information, contact Mann at (724) 946-7123 or e-mail mannjt@westminster.
edu.