Donald Nieman, the new dean of Harpur College, provides more to Binghamton University than his pleasant demeanor and down-to-earth personality, according to co-workers.
Nieman was appointed dean on July 1, replacing Interim Dean Ricardo Laremont.
The current dean said he fondly remembers the warm welcome he received from faculty, staff and students when he first arrived at BU.
“He hasn’t been here that long and he has already made Harpur a better place with the different ideas he has come up with,” Linda McManamon, secretary to Assistant Dean Frances Littlefield, said.
According to Nieman, BU is a place where students can discover new ways of looking at the world and enrich their lives. He defined a good university as one that brings teaching and research together.
“I draw creativity from faculty, department chairs, staff and students, who all have great ideas,” Nieman said.
The scarcity of resources available to support new ideas is one of the biggest challenges Nieman has faced so far, and the allocation of those resources is even more difficult.
Still, Nieman said that the already existing strengths of Harpur provide a good foundation for what he wants to accomplish.
“My goal is to lead Harpur College in a positive direction,” he said.
Nieman said he was attracted to the job because of the reputation of both BU and Harpur College.
“Harpur has the capacity to offer high-class education in an environment enriched by world-class research graduate education,” he said.
According to Nieman, a typical day includes attending meetings with department chairs, other deans, alumni, faculty and staff.
One achievement of the new dean was the organization of a steering committee of chairs to go over Harpur issues.
“I have a lot of respect for him and his leadership abilities,” said Anna Addonisio, associate dean for the administration of Harpur College.
The new administrator said that listening is essential to learning what problems are important to people on campus and within the arts and sciences school. By listening, he continued, one can find a lot of solutions.
McManamon commended Nieman’s efforts to really consider input from students and said he really looks out for the “students’ best interests.”
Laura Potter, secretary for Associate Dean Anna Addonisio and Assistant Dean Sondra Hilldale, also had good things to say about the new dean.
“When he comes into the room, he is like a breath of fresh air,” Potter said.
According to Potter, one of Nieman’s distinguishing qualities is how personable he is toward faculty and students, and how he always makes sure to say good morning to coworkers.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Nieman was raised in a small town in central Iowa. His childhood aspiration was to become an attorney.
“It was a familiar occupation and it seemed to speak to my interest in public affairs,” Nieman said.
But when Nieman entered college he decided that he wanted to become a history professor, which was his profession for 25 years before he took on an administrative role. The dean also currently serves as a United States constitutional and legal history professor.
Nieman received a doctorate from Rice University in 1975. Before coming to Binghamton, Nieman was a professor and chair of the history department at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, according to a news release by the University.
He served as a dean at Bowling Green State University in Ohio for eight years. Nieman has also taught at Kansas State University, Hunter College, Brooklyn College and Clemson University.
Outside of his work at BU, Nieman enjoys spending time with his family.
“My five-year-old son loves books, so reading to him is always a lot of fun,” he said. “He is such a wonderful little person.”