Brainerd gains new leader Lindholm "pinch-hits" as acting faculty head

Author: Zach hecht-Leavitt

Ask Dean of Advising and Assistant Professor of American Literature Karl Lindholm to impersonate Bob Dylan, and chances are he'll comply. The "entertaining," "down to earth," and "approachable" new acting faculty head of Brainerd Commons is equally at home advising students in his office, engaging first-years with his love of New England in his seminar "The Road Less Traveled" or amusing students with his slightly irreverent sense of humor over a BuRP dinner.

"He's very in tune with the students and tries to build a relationship with every one of them," sais Pascal Losambe '07.

Lindholm has substituted as Acting Faculty Head before in Ross and Brainerd, and served a seven-year term with his wife, Reginald L. Cook Professor of American Literature Brett Millier, in Atwater. Dean of the College Tim Spears will advise President Liebowitz on a more permanent Faculty Head for Brainerd sometime this year after soliciting student feedback, talking to the Brainerd Commons Council and consulting a list of available appointees. The ultimate decision rests with the President.

Lindholm sees his responsibilities as organizing Brainerd's residential life, delivering student services and, most importantly, setting a warm, comfortable tone for the Brainerd Commons community. "Other universities have a very specialized classroom experience separate from residential and social life. My job as Faculty Head is to maintain a sense of an integrated community in the commons," he said.

To that end, Lindholm wants to continue the popular BuRP dinners which, according to Kris Wilson '08, "represent one of the best embodiments of what the commons system is trying to do." He also wants to work with the Commons Council to schedule a rich program of events and expand aspects of his academic classes to include the entire commons. For example, in years past he has had filmmaker Jay Craven as well as performers and lecturers give presentations as commons events. This has allowed him to tap into the commons budget and reach the entire student body as opposed to just one of his classes.

True to his caring, supportive attitude, Lindholm volunteered for the temporary position. He finds his multiple roles as dean of advising, assistant professor and faculty head give him a unique view on all aspects of student life. "The fact that I'm a member of the American Literature and Civilization faculty and student affairs team represents in some way the hybridization and community we're hoping to create in the commons system," he said.

Lindholm replaces Paul and Jennifer Nelson, the previous Faculty Heads, whose seven-year term ended last year. Highlights of the Nelsons' tenure include the creation of the Rising Stars free classical concert series, including a particularly memorable recital last February by Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen, distributing free tickets to arts performances for commons residents and greatly increasing the attendance at BuRP dinners.