6/11/97

ATHENS, Ohio -- Herman "Butch" Hill Jr., a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and former chair of Faculty Senate, has been named ombudsman at Ohio University, Provost Sharon Stephens Brehm announced today (6/11/97).

"I am delighted that Butch Hill has agreed to assume this new responsibility in the university," Brehm said. "Butch has an extraordinary knowledge of the policies, procedures and culture of Ohio University -- and he is highly respected throughout the university for his integrity and sense of fairness. I know he will be a great ombudsman, who will be of great assistance to members of the university community."

President Robert Glidden noted Hill's recently completed Faculty Senate service.

"After working with Butch Hill for three years in his role as Faculty Senate chair, I have great confidence in his ability to work with people and to resolve problems," Glidden said.

Hill, who will begin service as ombudsman later this summer, also will serve as associate director of the Cutler Scholars Program and will teach part-time in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

"I am honored to be selected as ombudsman," Hill said, "and I look forward to working with Dianne Bouvier, the assistant ombudsman, especially in the construction of a web site for the office. A substantial outreach effort is envisioned for next year. An important goal of meeting with campus constituencies will be to head off some conflicts before they develop."

Hill received his B.S.E.E. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and both his M.S.E.E. and Ph.D. from West Virginia University. He has been a visiting professor in Caracas, Venezuela, and in summer 1993 was a faculty-in-residence for the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering program of the American Association for Engineering Education.

Hill's service to Ohio University is wide-ranging, including eight years on the Faculty Senate, three years on the Konneker Scholarship Committee, and as chair of the Presidential Task Force on Teaching and Technology.

Hill replaces Professor of Geography Nancy Bain, who served six years as ombudsman. Bain will return to full-time faculty status in the Department of Geography.