September 4, 1998

University makes administrative changes

The Rev. Bernard P. Knoth, S.J., university president, announced the appointment of James S. Eiseman, Ph.D., associate professor of communications, as vice president of the Division of Student Affairs. The appointment became effective August 1, 1998, for a two-year term. Eiseman replaces Vincent Knipfing who retired after 26 years with the university.

Eiseman joined Loyola as an associate professor of communications in 1995. As a member of the Loyola faculty, Eiseman has been active on several university committees including the University Library Committee, the President’s Minority Network, and the Student Affairs Policy Advisory Committee. Among students, he is known as a respected mentor and advisor, advising students about college life and curriculum. Also, he provided guidance to students entering the job market by helping students with resumes, interviewing, networking, and job hunting skills.

Since 1978, Eiseman’s experience in academia has included both administrative and teaching positions. At the University of Louisville, he served as assistant dean of University College as well as a tenured associate professor of communications. He spent one year as an associate professor and coordinator of the advertising sequence in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Florida International University in Miami. In 1993, he rejoined the University of Louisville as a visiting associate professor.

Eiseman’s career outside of academia includes nearly 10 years of experience as a professional communicator in public relations and advertising. Most notably, he served as vice president of marketing at Gannett Direct Marketing Services and held management positions with two advertising and public relations agencies.

In making the announcement, Knoth said, “Student affairs is an essential component to ensuring that our students have positive experiences while on campus. Throughout his teaching career, Dr. Eiseman has been committed to serving his students. It is this type of commitment that will determine the future of our responsiveness to our students’ needs.”

In accepting his appointment, Eiseman said, “I look forward to serving the university in this capacity and building upon Mr. Knipfing’s distinguished 26-year career. My focus will be on the Jesuit commitment of educating the whole person both through classroom experience and campus life.”

Eiseman earned a bachelor of arts degree in government, a master of arts and a doctorate degree in political science with a focus on political communication from Boston University.

In another announcement, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Classics Connie Rodriguez, Ph.D., has been appointed interim associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Rodriguez came to Loyola in 1988 to help save a crumbling classics program. Within one year, she developed a minor which was followed by a major that has already placed six students in graduate school. In addition to a full teaching load, Rodriguez has advised students in the classics program since 1989 and has served on numerous committees and boards on campus. For the past two years, she has co-chaired the Loyola Women’s Center, helping to transform it into one of the university’s most valuable resources. In April, the Women’s Center and the School of Law joined forces to host a symposium on sexual violence which attracted top legal, feminist, and social work scholars from prestigious institutions around the country.

As associate dean, Rodriguez will be responsible for monitoring the progress of students in the College of Arts and Sciences and overseeing all aspects of the degree programs within the college. She will work with Dean Frank E. Scully, Jr., who took office August 1, to oversee Loyola’s largest college which is comprised of 2,000 students and 150 faculty members.

“I look forward to working with Dean Scully as he embarks on programs which will further enhance the college’s reputation,” Rodriguez said. “I also look forward to helping students face problems they may encounter as they progress toward graduation and beyond the university.”

In 1996, Rodriguez chaired the University Senate, a faculty body which advises administrators on matters concerning the university. Furthermore, she has chaired the University Planning Team, the University Senate Executive Committee, and was president of the Louisiana Classical Association for two years.

Rodriguez obtained a doctorate and master of arts in classics from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor of arts in classics from the University of Richmond in 1977.