Conversation with Christopher Zappe

By Josh Carmel

Christopher Zappe cuts a striking figure. The photograph on Bucknell University’s personal website details a jovial man, sharp jaw, eyes alight in academic invitation, and fingernail smile cocked amiably. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Bucknell, and recently designated Provost here at Gettysburg, has his B.A. in Mathematics and Ph.D. in Decision Sciences. As a man who acknowledges the possible variability of change, a byproduct of his education, Zappe is wholly excited about this new prospect and cannot wait to embrace the wide spectrum of Gettysburg College culture.

Question: As the current Dean of Arts and Sciences at Bucknell University, an education institution with an additional College of Engineering, what would you like to bring academically to our small liberal arts college?

Answer: “I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience in reviewing and revising liberal arts curricula, hiring and promoting the development of outstanding faculty, and building support for new and existing academic programs and co-curricular initiatives.   I believe that my work as the Dean of Arts and Sciences and as a tenured faculty member at Bucknell has served as excellent preparation for my role as Provost at Gettysburg College.”

Question: What, if at all, are some policies, academic or otherwise, that you would like to see instituted at Gettysburg? To the best of your knowledge, are there any current policies that you would like to alter?

Answer: “I am eager to learn more about existing academic policies at Gettysburg in the opening months of my appointment which begins in early July.   I believe that it is premature for me to suggest changes to any current policies without a complete understanding of the policies.   I look forward to discussing academic policies with faculty, students, and staff members in the coming academic year.”

Question: How will you use your past experiences, at other institutions, to distinguish yourself amongst individuals in the current Gettysburg Administration?

Answer: “I look forward to collaborating with my new administrative and faculty colleagues, along with members of the Gettysburg student body, to energize the development of the academic core of the College.  At Bucknell, I have demonstrated that I am very capable in working with a number of diverse constituents in building and nurturing the institution’s academic core.  I look forward to continuing my passionate commitment to the liberal arts at Gettysburg beginning this summer!”

Question: As the Provost, you will be responsible for maintaining the academic program and curriculum at Gettysburg College. This necessitates an ability to moderate both faculty and student proposals. How would you both bridge a growing gap between the Administration and the student body, and promote interaction between the two?

Answer: Please know that I am committed to understanding the interests and aspirations of the Gettysburg faculty, students, and administration.   I would like to learn more about the perception that there is a growing gap between the Gettysburg student body and administration.   Clearly, I am dedicated to promoting mutual understanding, respect, and productive engagement among all members of the Gettysburg campus community.

As the future Provost, Zappe is more than willing to utilize his inherent abilities in order to assess issues at Gettysburg and aid in its accentuation. He is committed to furnishing the inherent empathy which exists between all students, faculty members, and administration.