June 3, 2009
UWSP appoints Christopher Cirmo dean of Letters and Science
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has named Christopher Cirmo to the post of Dean of the College of Letters and Science, Interim
Chancellor Mark Nook announced today.
Cirmo comes to UWSP from the State University of New York at Cortland, where he has been the chairperson
of the Geological Sciences Department and senior chairperson in the sciences.
“What struck me most about UWSP was the openness of the faculty and staff, and their willingness to do what
it took to address my questions, discuss issues and challenges, and present a positive view of both UWSP and
the Stevens Point area,” Cirmo said. “What I see is a fairly unique regional comprehensive liberal arts and
sciences institution which has manifest traditions and demonstrated willingness to move forward in difficult
budgetary times,” he added.
Cirmo said he sees the mission of Letters and Science as central to the university.
“It represents a place where fundamental intellectual skills are introduced, honed and mastered, and then
applied across the disciplines represented by all four colleges. The college has a wealth of talented faculty
and unique programs challenging enough to encourage inquiry and discovery, and broad enough to encompass ideas
from across the university community,” Cirmo observed.
“I am particularly interested in strengthening links and bridges which already exist between programs and
colleges, and assisting the college in embracing the concept of "interdisciplinarity" in its students, faculty
and programs.”
Cirmo earned his doctorate in environmental science and engineering from Syracuse University, his master’s
in environmental science from Indiana University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and his bachelor’s degree
in biology/chemistry from Utica College.
He is widely published, particularly on wetlands issues, and has been awarded numerous grants.
In addition to various teaching and faculty posts at SUNY Cortland, Syracuse, and Susquehanna University,
Cirmo served as program director for the Division of Earth Sciences Program in Hydrological Sciences at the
National Science Foundation.
“His knowledge of the NSF will provide us with a great advantage as UWSP continues its leadership among the
UW regional universities in sponsored applied research,” Nook noted.
Cirmo received numerous honors at SUNY Cortland for his leadership in research. He was also a leader in
that university’s strategic planning initiative.
Nook also noted that Cirmo’s activity in SUNY Cortland’s sustainability efforts and as a consulting faculty
member on the American Council on Education’s Internationalization Task Force have given him experience in
areas that are key in UWSP’s Vision 2015.
Cirmo’s off-campus interests include community choral and theater groups, running, and involvement with
local government.
