Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services at Cornell University, has announced two key departmental appointments.

LeNorman Strong has been appointed assistant vice president for student and academic services and Jean Reese has been named project leader for the university's residential initiative, Murphy said.

The appointment of Strong, most recently assistant vice president for student and academic support services at George Washington University, was effective May 4. He replaces Margaret Lacey, who left Cornell as director of campus life in July 1997.

Strong brings almost 25 years of experience in student services positions to his new post, including 10 years in a variety of positions at Cornell. He will be responsible for the leadership and management of the Department of Campus Life.

"I am delighted to welcome LeNorman back to Cornell," Murphy said. "He worked with us for 10 years in numerous positions, including providing leadership for Noyes Center and Willard Straight Hall in the former Department of Unions and Activities. His knowledge of Cornell, professional experience and commitment to students make him the ideal person to lead our efforts in Campus Life in the years ahead."

Strong said he's excited to be returning to Cornell. "The university's residential program initiative is a bold step toward enhancing the Cornell undergraduate experience," he said. "It is an honor to be working with the Campus Life team to make implementation of this program a reality. My wife and I are looking forward to reclaiming our Ithaca roots."

Reese, who joined Cornell in 1986, has served as interim director of Campus Life for the past academic year. As project leader for the university's residential initiative, which President Hunter Rawlings announced last October, she will work directly with Murphy to oversee the programmatic aspects of the project. She also will work closely with the executive advisory group sponsoring the project and with John Kiefer of Facilities and Campus Services, who is overseeing the facilities side of the initiative.

The residential initiative stems from the seven-point action plan for campus housing that Rawlings issued in October 1997. That plan provides for a unifying educational experience for new students, preserves most student choice in housing and continues the current range of housing options, including traditional residence halls, program houses, cooperatives, fraternities and sororities and off-campus housing.

Under the plan, all freshmen will be housed in residences on North Campus starting next fall, and programming will be developed to help ease the transition to campus life. West Campus and Collegetown will be reserved for sophomores, juniors, seniors and a few graduate students. New residential space will be constructed on North Campus, and West Campus will be renovated.

"The new direction for residential programs is one of the largest undertakings of the university, and to have Jean's leadership for the effort gives me, and the administration, great comfort as we move forward," Murphy said.

Reese said she's excited by the challenge. "I'm looking forward to the work ahead as we build innovative programs to strengthen the living-learning environments for first-year students on North Campus and for continuing students on West Campus," she said. "This position will build upon my experience in Campus Life, while providing opportunities for expanded interface with students, faculty and staff across the university."

Strong received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1974; a master's in education and human development, higher education administration in 1996 and a doctor of education degree in higher education administration in 1998, from George Washington University.

Reese received her bachelor's degree from the State University College at Oswego in 1970 and her master's from Elmira College in 1974.