The final candidate for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Eric Link, spoke in an open forum to students and faculty on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Eric Link is currently the assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

During the open forum, Link discussed his education and past experiences as a university administrator. He also discussed his vision for the College at the University.

Fitting with the college he is applying for, Link used the names of popular songs as points to describe the challenges and opportunities facing the College.

For example, “She Blinded Me With Science” was the heading for his discussion on the challenges of student expectations of technology use in the classroom and the song “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” was the discussion point for retention and graduation rates.

The song “Second Hand News” was used to point out another of the challenges Link sees the College facing, marketing and branding.

“We need to be invested in those kinds of endeavors… to get the word out about the great programs in the College of Arts and Sciences,” he said.

Link also discussed the myths and realities facing students who study the liberal arts such as the idea that it is not a practical field of study or that there are no job prospects for these students.

“Corporate America needs employees with the skills gained from a liberal arts education,” he said.

He explained that employers want employees who are able to think critically and who have the communication abilities synonymous with those gained from a liberal arts education.

His goals for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University are to enhance the reputation, community, and connections of the College.

“I envision a Bowling Green State University that is the number one first choice destination in Ohio for students seeking a first class education,” he said.

Link also answered faculty questions after the open forum, which involved his past at Memphis and how he would handle hiring a diverse staff.

“At Memphis we have a very diverse student body… we try to mirror that diversity in our faculty,” he said. “We appreciate the hire as a hire, not as hitting a mark on a diversity quota.”

Professor Lawrence Coates, from the English department, thought that Link had both strengths and weaknesses.

“I thought he gave a forward looking vision for the College of Arts and Sciences but he did not address the falling enrollment of the 18 to 22-year-old demographic,” Coates said.

Professor Lynda Dixon, from the Department of Communication, also attended the open forum.

“I like that he does have a sense of humor and was very upbeat,” she said. “I saw some potential but would have liked to see a bit more knowledge of the university.”